Malappuram Launches Centre’s SMILE Scheme to Rehabilitate People Engaged in Begging

Malappuram district in Kerala has launched the Centre’s SMILE scheme to identify people engaged in begging and provide them with rehabilitation and skill-training opportunities for alternative livelihoods, officials said on Saturday.

The initiative is being implemented under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) programme. It aims to support marginalised individuals through rehabilitation and opportunities for economic independence.

Under the district-level project, the District Social Justice Officer has been designated as the nodal officer, while Salva Care, a voluntary organisation based in Pandikkad, has been entrusted with its implementation, according to an official statement.

A dedicated vehicle has been arranged to identify people engaged in begging and facilitate their rehabilitation. Officials will reach out to individuals at different locations based on information received from members of the public and other agencies.

The programme will be implemented through coordination among local self-government institutions, police, government departments and voluntary organisations. These agencies will work together to identify individuals requiring assistance and facilitate their rehabilitation.

The national SMILE programme focuses on identifying people engaged in begging, providing rehabilitation support and offering skill development and vocational training to help them pursue alternative livelihood opportunities.

The district administration has adopted an approach centred on rehabilitation and livelihood support rather than providing only monetary assistance. The initiative is intended to connect identified individuals with support services and opportunities that can help them move towards self-reliance.

Officials said members of the public can inform the authorities about people engaged in begging in public places so that they can be identified and brought under the rehabilitation programme.

The district announcement did not specify the number of people expected to benefit from the initiative or provide details of training schedules and employment arrangements.