The primary objective is to connect beneficiaries with sustainable livelihood options and prevent their return to begging, an official said
Gurgaon: The district administration has asked startups, corporates, NGOs and institutions to help move people away from begging and into stable work through a structured rehabilitation programme under the Centre’s SMILE scheme.The district social welfare department has invited proposals from organisations to run the programme, which aims to train beneficiaries, connect them to self-help groups, help them access institutional finance and reintegrate them through work that generates income. Applications must be submitted by April 25, additional deputy commissioner Sonu Bhatt said.Bhatt said the administration is looking for recognised NGOs, startups, Section 8 companies, institutions registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or relevant state and UT laws, besides Panchayati Raj institutions, urban local bodies and state or UT-funded institutions.Under the scheme, beneficiaries will be given demand-based skill training and linked to central and state welfare programmes so they can shift to sustainable livelihoods. The trades identified include carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation work and e-rickshaw driving.“The primary objective is to connect beneficiaries with sustainable livelihood options and prevent their return to begging,” Bhatt said, adding that the model provides long-term rehabilitation, regular follow-up and continuous monitoring.
He said NGOs running shelter homes must have at least two years’ experience and submit registration papers, memorandum of association, annual reports, income tax documents where applicable, and details of their management committee. Representation of people formerly engaged in begging will be mandatory.Organisations already receiving financial assistance under another scheme will not be eligible unless they first withdraw that support. Selected agencies can receive assistance for up to five years, subject to performance, and must provide 4,000 to 6,000 sqft of operational space, depending on the city category.
