510 Beggars Rescued and Rehabilitated in Jammu Kashmir Under Central Scheme | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: At least 510 persons engaged in begging have been rescued and rehabilitated in Jammu and Kashmir under a Central government rehabilitation programme since October 2023, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Replying to an unstarred question by MP Raja Ram Singh, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment BL Verma said 1,143 persons were identified as engaged in begging in Jammu and Kashmir, of whom 510 were rescued and rehabilitated under the Centre’s rehabilitation programme.

The minister said 166 rehabilitated persons in Jammu and Kashmir were provided wage employment while eight were supported for self-employment through skill development and livelihood initiatives.

The rehabilitation has been carried out under the SMILE Scheme, specifically its sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging, which was launched on October 23, 2023.

Nationally, the government said 31,055 persons have been identified as engaged in begging, out of whom 9,855 persons have been rescued and rehabilitated, including 2,480 children.

The programme is implemented through district administrations, urban local bodies and municipal corporations acting as implementing authorities, which work with selected implementing agencies and non-governmental organisations for identification, rescue and rehabilitation of beneficiaries.

According to the government, beneficiaries are provided shelter, counselling, skill development and vocational training, along with linkages to livelihood opportunities through convergence with various central and state government schemes.

Skill training under the programme covers trades such as carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation work and e-rickshaw driving, depending on local demand and aptitude. The scheme also supports the formation of self-help groups and linkages with banks for financial assistance to promote income-generating activities.

The government said data on the long-term employability or livelihood status of rehabilitated beneficiaries is not centrally maintained as they are linked with multiple welfare and livelihood programmes of both the Centre and the States.

The information was provided in a written reply placed before the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.