Question : Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars 2021

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2650
TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

SCHEME FOR COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION OF BEGGARS 2021
2650. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:
SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has launched/proposed National Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars 2021, if so, the details thereof together with funds allocated/cities implementing it presently/cities to be included in future and the extent to which this would likely to improve the livelihood of beggars;
(b) the reasons in case the scheme is not to be expanded in other cities,
(c) whether ten city pilot project is already in progress to create grass root outreach the comprehensive scheme as part of a support for marginalized Individual Livelihood and Enterprises scheme, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any consultation have been held with States/UTs to share their proposals in this regard; if so, the details thereof and total fund allocated for this purpose and time frame set by Government to implement the scheme; and
(e) whether the Government is also working on a draft bill for a model central legislation for a rehabilitation framework for beggars etc. and if so, the details thereof along with the likely timeframe for implementation of the same?

Answer given by the minister

ANSWER
MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes a sub-scheme - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’. This scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging. The focus of the scheme is extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, basic documentation, education, skill development, economic linkages and so on. Persons engaged in the act of Begging are to be covered under the scheme. Total funds allocated for the scheme for next five years, are attached in Annexure. Scheme is to be implemented on pan-India basis.


(c): Ministry had identified 10 cities for undertaking pilot project on Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging. Currently, pilot project is ongoing in 7 cities namely Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Nagpur and Patna. These pilots are being implemented with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies and Voluntary Organizations etc., which provide comprehensive measures including survey and identification, mobilization, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, awareness generation, counseling, education, skill development and sustainable settlement of persons engaged in begging. However, due to COVID pandemic, project couldn''t start in three cities.

(d): A Meeting was held on 14.01.2020 with some of the NGOs/Experts/States working in the field of beggary for Comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging . After the discussion, Ministry had initiated pilot project on Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.

Total funds allocated for SMILE scheme are attached in Annexure.

(e): No Sir.

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Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) and (b), (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2650 to be answered on 14.12.2021 regarding ‘Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabiltation of Beggars 2021’


Serial No. Year Funds Allocated
(Rs. in Cr.)
1 2021-22 10.00
2 2022-23 15.00
3 2023-24 20.00
4 2024-25 25.00
5 2025-26 30.00
Total 100.00




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