In a positive step towards social welfare and rehabilitation, Srinagar has become the first district in Jammu and Kashmir to implement the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme under GOMODAF India.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin, said the initiative while inaugurating a full-fledged rehabilitation home for marginalized individuals.
“This is the first time in J&K that this scheme is being implemented, and Srinagar is leading the way. It is a comprehensive scheme where we are actively involved in addressing the issue of begging,” said Dr. Bilal
The newly established rehabilitation home has an initial capacity of 50 people, with plans to expand. “Some people here complain about the lack of space in their homes. Now we have a proper rehabilitation center for them,” he added.
Dr. Bilal highlighted that earlier, the J&K Provincial Baggery Act of 1960, with its rules framed in 1964, criminalized begging. “We used to issue arrest orders for people involved in begging. However, the High Court later struck down the Act in a 196-page judgment, emphasizing the role of the welfare state in addressing the issue rather than criminalizing it.”
The SMILE scheme, launched by the Government of India, aligns with human rights guidelines provided by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Supreme Court.
It has two components, comprehensive rehabilitation for transgender individuals and rehabilitation for those engaged in begging. The initiative will be executed by the District Social Welfare Officer (DSW) in collaboration with the NGO Inpallant Paryas.
DC Srinagar outlined the comprehensive rehabilitation plan, which includes providing shelter, food, and skill development opportunities.
“This is not just a place to sit, but a full-fledged rehabilitation home. We will focus on skill empowerment, engaging individuals in trades like boutique work, tailoring, cutting, and bulb-making to integrate them into employment or enterprise.”
Additionally, the initiative ensures that children previously involved in begging are enrolled in schools. “We have also connected these children with schools. There is no better definition of a welfare state than the implementation of the SMILE scheme in Srinagar,” he stated.
Expressing satisfaction with the efforts of the team, Dr. Bilal emphasized that this milestone marks a new beginning for the marginalized community. “Many media persons used to point out that we were only arresting them. Now, we have an alternative—rehabilitation.
This is our job as a welfare state. We cannot criminalize a community for their circumstances. The court has also reinforced this stance.”
With everything in place, the district administration will now begin rehabilitating individuals under the scheme. “This is an important milestone for Srinagar. From today, we will bring them here and rehabilitate them. This effort will yield significant benefits for the community,” he concluded.
