Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Thursday said that 32 individuals engaged in begging have been successfully rehabilitated under the state government's SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme, while surveys are being expanded to more cities across Punjab.
Sharing details, Dr Baljit Kaur said a survey launched in Amritsar in March 2026 has identified 422 persons engaged in begging. Among them, 32 individuals have already been rehabilitated through various welfare measures.
These include eight people reunited with their families, two linked to old-age pension benefits, four provided Aadhaar cards, one assisted under the Ashirwad Scheme, four shifted to old-age homes and 13 connected with employment or livelihood opportunities. Additionally, 54 individuals have received counselling support.
Minister said the SMILE Scheme is being implemented in Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar in line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of building an inclusive and compassionate Punjab.
She further informed that 168 persons engaged in begging have been identified in Patiala, where rehabilitation efforts are progressing rapidly. Surveys in Ludhiana and Jalandhar are scheduled to begin during the second week of September.
Dr Baljit Kaur emphasized that the objective of the SMILE Scheme goes beyond merely eliminating begging. She said the government’s mission is to restore dignity, security and self-reliance by connecting vulnerable individuals with social security schemes, healthcare services, counselling, skill development programmes, education, employment and self-employment opportunities.
The Minister said identification and survey operations are being carried out in coordination with district administrations and concerned departments.
Individuals requiring immediate assistance are shifted to safe locations where they receive counselling, medical care and other essential support services. Those whose families can be traced are reunited with them, while others are linked with suitable rehabilitation facilities.
She added that the campaign is being implemented through close coordination among district administrations, Municipal Corporations, local government institutions, the Police Department, Health Department, skill development agencies and other stakeholder departments to ensure comprehensive support reaches every deserving individual.
Appealing to citizens, Dr Baljit Kaur urged the public not to encourage begging by offering cash on the streets. Instead, she called upon people to help connect such individuals with government rehabilitation and social welfare services, stating that collective efforts are essential to realise the vision of a begging-free, self-reliant and dignified “Rangla Punjab”.
