The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to roll out the SMILE scheme (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) to rehabilitate beggars and integrate them into mainstream society.
Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, SMILE focuses on providing shelter, care, and skill-based training to individuals engaged in begging. The scheme was initially introduced in 50 cities in 2022 and has now entered its second phase, expanding to cities like Puri, Cuttack, and Jajpur, including Bhubaneswar.
To kickstart implementation, BMC is hiring an agency to conduct a survey identifying beggars across the city. Rescue and rehabilitation operations will follow, with plans to establish a 50-bed shelter where beneficiaries will receive proper care and vocational training. Multiple stakeholders—government officials, NGOs, social activists, and the public—will collaborate to ensure success.
The initial phase of SMILE is estimated to cost ₹30 lakh, supplementing Odisha’s Sahaya scheme, which has already identified 1,700 beggars and set up five 100-bed rehabilitation centers. Authorities believe SMILE will bolster existing efforts to make Bhubaneswar a beggar-free city while providing marginalized individuals with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
