Chandigarh: Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring a life of dignity for the most vulnerable sections of society, the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, is implementing the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate homeless persons and individuals engaged in begging.
Sharing details, Dr Baljit Kaur said that a survey launched in Amritsar in March 2026 has so far identified 422 persons engaged in begging. Of these, 32 individuals have already been successfully rehabilitated—including 8 reunited with their families, 2 linked to old-age pension benefits, 4 provided Aadhaar cards, 1 extended assistance under the Ashirwad Scheme, 4 shifted to old-age homes, and 13 connected with employment or livelihood opportunities.
The Cabinet Minister said that the objective of the SMILE Scheme extends far beyond eliminating begging. “Our mission is to restore dignity, security and self-reliance to every individual in need by connecting them with social security schemes, healthcare, counselling, skill development, education, employment and self-employment opportunities, enabling them to become productive members of society,” she said.
Dr Baljit Kaur explained that under the scheme, identification and surveys are carried out in close coordination with the concerned departments and local administration. Those requiring immediate assistance are shifted to safe locations where they receive counselling, medical care and other essential support.
