SMILE-B rolled out in Kollam district to shelter and train people engaged in begging

4 November 2026

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's SMILE-B project has been rolled out in Kollam district with the aim of rehabilitating people engaged in begging. The scheme provides shelter and protection and adds self-employment and vocational training so that destitute persons can return to the mainstream. In Kollam city the work has been entrusted to the Kalluvathukkal-based Samudra Charitable Trust, with the Sub-Collector as nodal officer, and is run in coordination with local self-government bodies, the police and voluntary organisations. Members of the public and civil society groups can alert the authorities when they see anyone begging, after which an official team visits the spot and begins rescue and rehabilitation. N, k. Premachandran, MP, inaugurated the 'SMILE-B: Beggar-Free Kollam District' campaign at Kalluvathukkal Samudra Teeram, and District Social Justice Officer A. K, harikumaran Nair presided. SMILE is an umbrella central sector scheme whose begging sub-scheme was launched in February 2022.