Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Economy
- Published
22nd Feb, 2020
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Context
- The fourth Anniversary of the launch of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) was observed.
- Prime Minister had launched the Mission with the vision to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.
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Background
- Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) was announced in the Union Budget 2014-15.
- This was following the Rurban development model of urbanization of the rural areas, adopted in the state of Gujarat through which people living in the rural areas are given efficient civic infrastructure and associate services.
- Ensuring availability of amenities to rural populace is on the top priority of the central government as 69% of India’s population resides in villages.
- Rurban Mission was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 21 February, 2016 at Kurubhata, Murmunda Rurban Cluster, Rajnandgaon, Chattisgarh.
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Why do we need such a scheme?
- Large parts of rural areas in the country are not stand-alone settlements but part of a cluster of settlements, which are relatively proximate to each other.
- These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth, have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages. These clusters once developed can then be classified as 'Rurban'.
- Hence taking cognizance of this, the Government of India, has launched the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), aimed at developing such rural areas by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.
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What is the vision of the scheme?
- The National Rurban Mission (NRuM) follows the vision of "Development of a cluster of villages that preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with focus on equity and inclusiveness without compromising with the facilities perceived to be essentially urban in nature, thus creating a cluster of "Rurban Villages".
- The Rurban Mission will thus develop a cluster of Smart Villages.
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How will the scheme be implemented?
- For the purposes of SPMRM, Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30 to 40 lakh population.
- The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas. As far as practicable, clusters of village would follow administrative convergence units of Gram Panchayats.
- These clusters are intended to be well delineated areas with planned layouts prepared following the planning norms (as laid down in the State, Town and Country Planning Acts/similar Central or State statutes as may be applicable), which would be duly notified by the State/UTs.
- To ensure an optimum level of development, fourteen components have been suggested as desirable for the cluster, which would include skill development training linked to economic activities.
- The SPMRM will provide an additional funding support of upto 30 percent of the project cost per cluster as Critical Gap Funding (CGF) as Central Share to enable development of such Rurban clusters.
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Who will implement the scheme?
- The State Governments identify the clusters in accordance with the Framework for Implementation prepared by the Ministry of Rural Development.
- For the selection of clusters, the Ministry of Rural Development is adopting a scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the District, Sub District and Village level, of the demography, economy, tourism and pilgrimage significance and transportation corridor impact.
- While the Ministry, following this analysis, would provide a suggestive list of sub districts to the State, the State Governments would then select the clusters following a set of indicated principles included in the Framework for Implementation.
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Additional Info
- A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), announced in 2003, aimed at Provision of urban amenities and livelihood opportunities in rural areas to bridge the rural urban divide thereby reducing the migration from rural to urban areas.
- PURA was for holistic and accelerated development of compact areas around a potential growth center in a Panchayat (or group of Panchayats) through Public Private Partnership (PPP) by providing livelihood opportunities and urban amenities to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
- It included:
- Simultaneous delivery of different schemes
- Deployment of funds for operations and maintenance of assets along with capital investment for creation of assets
- Synergy in operations of schemes – leading to optimal use of resources
- Standards for service delivery in rural areas at par to those set for urban areas
- PURA is treated as a “Project” and not a government scheme – Private sector partner has to prepare a detailed business plan. PURA was championed by late President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.
Quick Recap
- Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)—launched on 21 February, 2016—at Kurubhata, Murmunda Rurban Cluster, Rajnandgaon, Chattisgarh.
- The Theme of the 4th anniversary celebration of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission is ‘Aatma Gaon Ki, Suvidha Sheher Ki’.
- The scheme is based on Rurban development model of urbanization of the rural areas of Gujarat.
- Clusters will be identified by State Govt.
- Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA)—announced in 2003.
- PURA was a project, not a government scheme.
- PURA was the brainchild of late President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.
