Lok Sabha Question No. 2858 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Rehabilitation of Beggars
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2858 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2026

## REHABILITATION OF BEGGARS

## 2858.   SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

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

- (a) the details of the total number of persons rescued, rehabilitated and mainstreamed under the beggar rehabilitation sub-scheme during the last three years, State/UT-wise;
- b) the details of number of requests for rehabilitation received, action taken and pending during the last three years, State/UT- wise;
- the details of those received skill training, wage employment or self-employment during the last three years, State-wise;
- (d) whether the Government maintains data regarding the current employability o livelihood status of rehabilitated beneficiaries, if so, the details thereof; StateMUT-wise;
- e ensure effective  rehabilitation, sustainable livelihood and prevention of re-begging under the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Since inception of the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) sub-scheme "Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging" that is 23.10.2023,a total of 31,055 persons have been identified as engaged in the act of begging, out of which 9,855 persons have been rescued and rehabilitated under the subscheme, which includes 2,480 children: The StateUT-wise details are placed at Annexure-I
- (b): The SMILE sub-scheme is implemented through the Implementing Authorities (IAs) namely District Administration/ Urban Local Bodies/  Municipal Corporations and other agencies working in the field of beggary prevention As per the sub-scheme guidelines, the Implementing Authority   appoints/ selects the Implementing Agency/Non-Government Organisation (NGO) through a prescribed   selection   process. Since the scheme is being implemented through IAs, requests for rehabilitation are not received in the Ministry as all rescued persons are provided comprehensive rehabilitation as per their willingness/interest and in line with different provisions of the scheme guidelines

(c): Under   the SMILE  sub-scheme, beneficiaries are provided skill  development and livelihood opportunities through a convergence   approach with various Central and State Government programmes. AlL eligible persons have been provided skill training based on local demand and aptitude in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation work, e-rickshaw driving and other vocational activities. Formation of community Self Help Groups (SHGs) and establishing linkages with banks for financial assistance for income generation activities are also supported under the sub-scheme. Details are placed in Annexure-I

(d) (e): Under the sub-scheme, identification of beneficiaries, providing shelter; counselling and skill development vocational training are linked to appropriate welfare and livelihood schemes through convergence with other Central and State Government programmes. Hence, data for   current  employability or   livelihood status   of  rehabilitated beneficiaries are not maintained in the department.

Further; in order to ensure effective   rehabilitation, sustainable livelihood, and prevention of relapse into begging; vocational training and skill development based on locally demanding wage  employment/livelihoods are provided to facilitate   employment or  selfemployment, and follow-up action is carried out for long-term reintegration and sustainable rehabilitation:

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Annexure I

|    | StatesUTs         |   Survey/ Identification Total | Rescue and Rehabilitation Total   | Wage Employment]   | Self- employment   |
|----|-------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| 1  | Andhra Pradesh    |                           2569 | 653                               | 400                | 50                 |
| 2  | Arunachal Pradesh |                            140 | 99                                | 80                 |                    |
| 3  | Assam             |                           1840 | 605                               | 116                | 263                |
| 4  | Bihar             |                            476 | 375                               | 198                | 62                 |
| 5  | Chandigarh (UT)   |                            499 | 352                               | 198                | 20                 |
| 6  | Delhi NCT         |                           3318 | 372                               | 186                | 50                 |
| 7  | Gujarat           |                           1141 | 453                               | 195                | 75                 |
| 8  | Himachal Pradesh  |                             27 |                                   |                    | 0                  |
| 9  |                   |                           1143 | 510                               | 166                | 8                  |
| 10 | Karnataka         |                            875 | 88                                | 40                 | 26                 |
| 11 | Kerala            |                            674 | 178                               | 93                 | 20                 |
| 12 | Madhya Pradesh    |                           1772 | 1291                              | 357                | 208                |
| 13 | Maharashtra       |                           1601 | 1025                              | 244                | 80                 |
| 14 | Manipur           |                             64 |                                   |                    |                    |
| 15 | Mizoram           |                             16 |                                   |                    | 0                  |
| 16 | Nagaland          |                            107 | 22                                | 22                 |                    |
| 17 | Odisha            |                            784 | 288                               | 78                 | 100                |
| 18 | Puducherry        |                            485 | 178                               | 8                  | 73                 |
| 19 | Punjab            |                            128 | 6                                 | 6                  | 0                  |
| 20 | Rajasthan         |                             79 |                                   |                    |                    |
| 21 | Tamil Nadu        |                           9145 | 1590                              | 357                | 298                |
| 22 | Telangana         |                            580 | 53                                | 53                 |                    |
| 23 | Uttar Pradesh     |                           3592 | 1716                              | 1223               |                    |
|    | Total             |                          31055 | 9855                              | 4021               | 1556               |

Note: The total number of persons rehabilitated under the sub-scheme also includes children who have been   re-associated with  their  families or produced  before the Child Welfare Committees  It also includes persons rehabilitated through convergence with other Central and State Government schemes by linking to services such as Old Homes, De-addiction Centres; and other appropriate care and   support institutions. All other   persons   receive vocational ISkill   training   and are facilitated to take some wage-employment or employment. Age self-

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