Centre launches ‘SMILE’ scheme for Welfare of Transgender community and the Beggars

The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the Central Sector scheme titled “SMILE” on February 12, 2022.
SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
Objective: The new umbrella scheme aims to provide welfare measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.
The scheme will give the necessary legal protection, social security and a promise to a secured life to the targeted group.
Outlay: The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 crore for the scheme for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The SMILE scheme comprises of two sub-schemes. These are:
- ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and
- ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging’.

Source: PIB

Points to Remember:

Which ministry has launched the SMILE scheme?
Name of the scheme launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for Welfare of Transgender community and the Beggars?
The central sector SMILE scheme has been launched to cover which target group?
Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment – Dr. Virendra Kumar
Outlay of the scheme?