SRINAGAR: The Srinagar district administration has announced a complete ban on begging across the district and intensified the implementation of the Centre-sponsored SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme, with authorities urging the public to report any instances of begging to facilitate rehabilitation measures.
As part of the enforcement drive, the administration has deployed mobile publicity vans across Srinagar, making public announcements that begging is prohibited and appealing to residents to cooperate with officials in identifying individuals engaged in the practice.
Officials said the SMILE scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is being fully enforced in the district with an emphasis on rehabilitation, social welfare and reintegration rather than punitive action.
According to the district administration, more than 1,000 individuals involved in begging have been rehabilitated during the past two years. They have been accommodated in old-age homes, shelter homes and juvenile care institutions, depending on their age and circumstances.
Authorities said a substantial number of those rescued and rehabilitated were juveniles. Children found begging are being provided protection, counselling, education-related support and access to welfare schemes through the established rehabilitation framework.
The administration said the campaign is aimed at addressing the growing presence of beggars, particularly children, at markets, traffic junctions, roadsides and tourist destinations across Srinagar. Officials noted that many such children are vulnerable to exploitation and require institutional support and care.
The move has received support from residents, who have welcomed the administration’s efforts to curb begging and protect vulnerable children. Several citizens said the presence of juvenile beggars in public places had become a matter of concern and that rehabilitation was a more sustainable solution.
The district administration has appealed to the public not to encourage begging by offering money on the streets. Instead, residents have been asked to immediately inform the Srinagar district administration or designated SMILE Scheme officials whenever they come across any person engaged in begging anywhere in the district.
Officials said awareness campaigns, rescue operations and rehabilitation measures will continue across Srinagar to ensure social protection, child welfare and the successful reintegration of vulnerable individuals into mainstream society.
