SMILE Scheme, Objectives, Features, Eligibility, Benefits

SMILE Scheme stands for Support for Maginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 12 February 2022. The scheme has been divided into two sub schemes for transgenders and for the ones engaged in begging. 

The SMILE Scheme has been launched with the goal of providing support and rehabilitation to marginalised people through welfare support, medical help, educational support, skill development and financial support. 

SMILE Scheme Overview

SMILE Scheme focus is on helping the people who categorise in the marginalised group of individuals. This group includes scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, Persons with Disabilities. The SMILE Scheme will support these groups to set up their own enterprises in the following sectors: 

• Agriculture and allied activities
• Handicrafts and handlooms
• Micro and small enterprises
• Tourism and hospitality
• Information and communication technology (ICT) 

Individuals will be provided with skill training and support. The training will be provided by NSFDC and other training centres. The training would include entrepreneurship developments, marketing and planning. 

SMILE Scheme Objectives

The SMILE Scheme has the following objectives: 

• Provide vocational education and skill improvement to marginalised people. 
• Provide financial support for setting up of businesses
• Sell sustainable options feasible for marginalized groups.
• Ensure society is more inclusive towards marginalised group businesses. 

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Features of SMILE Scheme

The features of SMILE Scheme are: 

• Providing training to marginalised groups to help them develop their skills to run their businesses.
• Providing financial support through grants, loans subsidies for running the businesses. 
• By providing skills and proper business planning, the SMILE scheme can help build a more inclusive society. 
• Capacity building can be ensured through proper training, regular workshops, running of awareness camps etc. for the marginalised community. 

SMILE Scheme Eligibility 

Eligibility criteria for the SMILE Scheme includes:

1. Scheduled Castes Community: The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Castes.
2. Income Limit: The family’s annual income should not exceed ₹3.00 lakh.
3. Primary Breadwinner’s Demise Due to COVID-19: The applicant must be an immediate relative of the deceased, who was the family’s primary breadwinner and passed away due to COVID-19.
4. Required Documentation:
   • A death certificate issued by the Registrar of Births & Deaths, local municipal body, or a receipt from the cremation ground or graveyard.
   • For deaths in villages, a letter from the Block Development Officer (BDO) may also be considered valid. 

Benefits of Smile Scheme

The SMILE Scheme is a government initiative aimed at uplifting marginalized individuals by providing a range of benefits to improve their lives:

1. Improved Employability: Training programs will be offered to provide marginalized individuals with skills to improve their employability and access better job opportunities.
2. Financial Support: The scheme will provide financial assistance through loans, grants, and subsidies, allowing individuals to start or expand their businesses.
3. Entrepreneurship Promotion: It encourages entrepreneurship by offering training, mentoring, and business planning support, helping marginalized communities establish and manage their ventures effectively.
4. Market Linkages: The SMILE scheme will interconnect entrepreneurs with potential customers, suppliers, and vendors, which would enable access to larger markets and build valuable networks for their products and services.
5. Social Inclusion: By providing support, the scheme will foster social inclusion and restore dignity, breaking the cycle of marginalization and enabling individuals to actively contribute to society.
6. Reduction in Beggary: As part of the Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars , the initiative addresses root causes of beggary, providing sustainable alternatives and helping individuals transition to stable livelihoods.

The SMILE Scheme aims to transform lives by promoting empowerment, self-reliance, and a sense of belonging among marginalized communities.