4 Gujarat Places to Be Made Begging-Free Under Centre’s SMILE Initiative

Vadodara: Vadodara, Gir Somnath, Ektanagar and Pavagadh have been selected among the top 25 districts under the Central Government’s Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) campaign, with the aim of making these four places begging-free in the first phase.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Mona Khandhar, held a meeting in Vadodara to review the implementation of the campaign and provide guidance to officials.

The SMILE campaign, being implemented under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focuses on the rehabilitation and social integration of people engaged in begging. Under the initiative, people identified as being involved in begging will be provided shelter, healthcare, documentation and employment-oriented skill training to help them become self-reliant.

As part of the rehabilitation plan, coordinated efforts will be undertaken by municipal corporations, district administrations, health departments, social security officials and employment officers. Necessary documents, including Aadhaar cards, ration cards and Ayushman cards, will also be arranged for beneficiaries.

Khandhar said families involved in begging would initially be accommodated together at shelter facilities and their health screening would be conducted. With the support of social and voluntary organisations, begging hotspots will be identified and people will be shifted to designated shelters.

The families will be accommodated at the shelters for six months, during which they will receive employment-oriented training aimed at helping them secure sustainable livelihoods.

During the meeting, Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar suggested that families should be accommodated together when they are shifted to shelters. He also stressed the need for continuous follow-up after people are placed in jobs to ensure that they remain employed.

Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu said begging hotspots in the city have been identified. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation currently operates eight shelter homes and will work with the district administration to establish additional facilities as required.

Khandhar also reviewed the preparedness of the Panchmahal, Narmada and Gir Somnath administrations through an online meeting.

Collector Dr Anil Dhamelia, Narmada Collector Gangasinh, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Akshay Budania, Social Security Officer Bhagirathsinh Chudasama and other officials were present at the meeting. DeshGujarat