Lok Sabha Question No. 4991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: SMILE Project
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4991 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## SMILE PROJECT

## 4991. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Garima Grehs were established by the ministry to provide Shelters for abandoned and orphaned transgenders under the SMILE project in each State;
- (b) if so, the details regarding the Garima Grehs established including the date from which it was started, State-wise, if not, the details for the non-implementation of scheme;
- (c) the number of inmates in the shelter homes and details of facilities provided in the shelter homes, State-wise;
- (d) the details of funds allocated for the projects under SMILE for Garima Grehs including the funds utilised so far;
- (e) whether any additional mechanism is provided to ensure the mental health and well-being of inmates, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Ministry has any plans to organise district-wise awareness camps so as to empower them, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (c): Garima Grehs are established by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) under the sub scheme namely 'Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons' under the Scheme "Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise" (SMILE) to provide shelter to needy transgender persons. 18 Garima Grehs are supported by DoSJE in 15 States/UTs across the country. Details of the Garima Grehs and beneficiaries in Garima Greh are at Annexure.

Besides shelter to needy Transgender persons, Garima Greh provides amenities like food, medical care, yoga, meditation and recreational facilities like games, library services, opportunity to pursue hobbies etc. Support for the capacity-building and skill development activities are also provided in the Garima Greh.

(d): So far, Rs 6.8 Crores have been released and utilised by the Garima Grehs under SMILE Scheme.

(e): Each Garima Greh has a Counsellor to provide mental health support and counselling to the beneficiaries residing in Garima Greh.

Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) is an initiative launched by Ministry Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) in October, 2022 to provide free Tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock. Under this programme, a 24x7 helpline (14416) has been set up to provide psychosocial support and counseling services to individuals in need, including Transgender Persons.

(f): State Government/ Union Territory Administration carry out publicity of SMILE Scheme and awareness among the Transgender Community.

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## Annexure as referred to in reply to part (a) and (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No 4991 due for answer on 01.04.2025

State wise details of Garima Grehs operational under the sub-scheme namely "Central sector scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation for welfare of transgender persons" is as under:

| SI. No.   | State/UT       | No. of Garima Grehs   | Date of establishment               |   No. of Transgender Persons residing at present |
|-----------|----------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|           | Delhi          | 1                     | 05.04.2021                          |                                               25 |
| ri        | Odisha         | 1                     | 14.06.2021                          |                                               25 |
|           | Tamil Nadu     | 1                     | 18.06.2021                          |                                               20 |
| 4.        | Bihar          | 1                     | 01.06.2021                          |                                               43 |
| 5.        | Maharashtra    | 3                     | 04.06.2021, 22.06.2021 & 10.09.2021 |                                               72 |
| 6.        | Chhattisgarh   | 1                     | 01.04.2021                          |                                               35 |
| 7.        | Gujarat        | 1                     | 01.05.2021                          |                                               23 |
| 8.        | Rajasthan      |                       | 22.06.2021                          |                                               25 |
| 9.        | West Bengal    | 2                     | 18.04.2021 & 03.05.2021             |                                               27 |
| 10.       | Andhra Pradesh | 1                     | 18.07.2024                          |                                               25 |
| 11.       | Assam          |                       | 18.07.2024                          |                                               25 |
| 12.       | Karnataka      | 1                     | 12.07.2024                          |                                               26 |
| 13.       | Punjab         | 1                     | 18.07.2024                          |                                               25 |
| 14.       | Madhya Pradesh | 1                     | 03.09.2024                          |                                                8 |
| 15.       | Uttar Pradesh  | 1                     | 03.09.2024                          |                                               25 |
| Total     | Total          | 18                    | -                                   |                                              429 |

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