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The Government of India has undertaken multiple initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of marginalized groups, including the transgender community. A significant step in this direction is the launch of a 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) under the Support for Marginalized Individual for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme.

About the Programme

• Inaugurated at Garima Greh, a shelter home for transgender persons in Delhi.
• Organized by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) and implemented by the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).
• Initially, 25 transgender candidates will be trained, with a target of 18 programmes nationwide on a pilot basis, benefitting around 1800 persons.
• Training includes:
  • Business opportunity identification and market survey
  • Knowledge of the entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Financial aid support schemes and banking procedures
  • Entrepreneurial accounting, taxation, and regulatory compliances
  • Exposure visits (e.g., incubation centres of NSIC)
• Trainees will prepare business plans and be linked with banks for financial support. Post-training, 6 months of handholding support will ensure sustainability of enterprises.

Financial Inclusion Measures

On the request of DoSJE, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has included the transgender community in the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) category. This ensures easier access to credit and financial services for entrepreneurial ventures.

The SMILE Scheme – Key Features

The SMILE scheme is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It has two components:

1. Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons
2. Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in Begging

Provisions under SMILE

• Education: Scholarships for transgender students (Class IX to Post-Graduation).
• Skill Development & Livelihood: Training support under PM-DAKSH.
• Healthcare: Composite medical support through convergence with PM-JAY, including gender-reaffirmation surgeries in selected hospitals.
• Housing: Garima Greh shelters providing food, clothing, skill training, recreational and medical support.
• Protection & Legal Support: Establishment of Transgender Protection Cells in each state for timely investigation and prosecution of offences.
• Information Support: National Portal & Helpline for grievance redressal and information dissemination.

Significance

• Promotes economic empowerment and self-reliance of transgender persons.
• Ensures financial inclusion through PSL categorization.
• Strengthens India’s commitment towards an inclusive “Viksit Bharat” by addressing social and economic vulnerabilities of marginalized groups.