Srinagar, June 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has banned begging across the capital city of Srinagar, urging the general public to report any such activity to facilitate appropriate rehabilitation measures under the Centre-sponsored Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme, officials said.
The officials said the scheme, being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is being actively enforced in the district with a focus on rehabilitation, social support and reintegration into society rather than punitive measures.
They said the govt has pressed mobile publicity vans into service across Srinagar to raise awareness about the ban on begging. Through public announcements, residents are being informed that begging is prohibited and are being urged to assist authorities in identifying individuals engaged in the activity.
The district administration stated that over 1,000 individuals involved in begging have been rehabilitated over the past two years. Depending on their age and circumstances, they have been provided accommodation in old-age homes, shelter homes and juvenile care institutions.
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.
