Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission (SPMRM), also known as the National Rurban Mission (NRUM), aims to promote infrastructure, social, and economic growth in rural areas by establishing a network of 300 Smart Villages across the country, as well as inclusivity without sacrificing services perceived to be primarily urban in nature, resulting in a cluster of “Rurban Villages.” On February 21, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the initiative with the goal of delivering catalytic interventions to rural communities on the verge of growth.
The Rurban Mission’s Necessity
According to the 2011 Census, India has over 6 lakh villages and approximately 7,000 towns and urban centres. The rural population accounts for 69% of the total population, while the urban population accounts for 31%.
Approximately 70% of the population lives in rural areas, and approximately 50% of the labour force is still dependent on inefficient agriculture.
Agriculture contributes about 14% of the nation’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), while industries and services (employers of people living in cities) contribute 26% and 60%, respectively.
Huge portions of the country’s rural regions are not stand-alone settlements, but rather part of a cluster of settlements that are relatively close to one another. These clusters typically demonstrate growth potential, economic drivers, and locational and competitive advantages.
Once developed, these clusters can be classified as ‘Rurban.’ Taking this into consideration, the Government of India launched the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), which aims to develop such rural areas by providing economic, social, and physical infrastructure.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission primary goal
The main goal is to provide rural areas with facilities that are available in urban areas.
- These clusters were to be chosen for well-planned and comprehensive development.
Encourage the growth of the local economy. - Encourage the development of the value chain and the expansion of market access.
- Improved market access includes projects such as the construction of agri-link roads, pedestrian footpaths, and inter-village road connectivity.
- Promote agriculture and related activities, as well as eco-tourism.
- Conserve the local environment and historical sites to encourage tourism.
- The goal is to develop rural areas by providing economic, social, and physical infrastructure.
What exactly is a Rurban Cluster?
A Rurban Cluster is a group of geographically contiguous villages with a population of approximately 2,5000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and 5000 to 15000 in deserts, hilly, or tribal areas.
For administrative purposes, village clusters must adhere to an administrative convergence unit of Gram Panchayats and be assigned to a single block/tehsil.
Procedure for Cluster Selection
Under NRuM, there will be two types of clusters: non-tribal and tribal. The selection process for each of these types will be different. The State may identify a large village/gram panchayat that are growth centres with resources available in the area that could potentially lead the economic transformation of the region when selecting the Rurban cluster. These development hubs could also be block headquarters villages or census towns. Clusters may then be formed by identifying geographically contiguous villages/gram panchayats within a radius of 5-10 km (or a radius appropriate to the region’s population density and geography) of the identified growth centre.
SPMRM Advantages
The failure of the previous government scheme known as PURA was thought to have resulted from voluntary participation, and that only for the private sector. The original scheme’s scope was severely limited as a result, and its effects were largely muted. Government involvement was required to propel the mission and impact the lives of people in rural clusters.
The new scheme intends to involve the government in its implementation as well. The scheme will be implemented in the suggested quarters based on state recommendations. The Rural Development Ministry is also involved in streamlining mission movement and implementation on the ground.
The scheme is said to be inspired by the Gujarat model, which focused on improving basic infrastructure in rural clusters such as roads, shelter, drinking water, and power. The Gujarat model was successfully implemented, and it is hoped that its national implementation will result in better lives for the rural population.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission Highlights:
Rurban Clusters: There will be two types of clusters under the National Rurban Mission: non-tribal and tribal. Each of these categories has a unique method of selection.
- While selecting the Rurban group, states may consider a major village or gramme panchayat that are growth hubs with resources nearby that could potentially lead those clusters to economic transformation. Census towns or block headquarters villages could be considered as potential growth centres.
- The Non-Tribal and Tribal clusters would be formed by identifying physically adjacent villages or gramme panchayats within a radius of 5 to 10 km, or based on the radius appropriate to the topography or population density of the area surrounding the designated growth centre.
The mission is funded through a government-sponsored initiative. The Mission receives funding from two sources: - Convergence via various central sector schemes, centrally sponsored schemes, state sector/sponsored schemes/programs, and CSR funds
- This Mission would provide Critical Gap Funding (CGF) for the mission-specific development of these clusters.
- States’ Role: States’ role is to identify clusters in accordance with the MoRD’s Framework for Implementation.
- At the district, sub-district, and village levels, the MoRD employs a scientific cluster selection method that includes an objective analysis of population, economics, tourist and pilgrimage significance, and transportation corridor impact.
1)What exactly is the Spmrm scheme?
Ans The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) aims to make our rural areas more socially, economically, and physically sustainable.
2)What is the goal of Spmrm?
Ans In 2016, the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) launched the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) to carry out the vision of “development of a cluster of villages that preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with a focus on equity and inclusiveness without sacrificing facilities.”
3)What exactly is critical gap funding?
Ans What exactly is Critical Gap Funding? Answer: The project is intended to be funded through the convergence of various Centrally Sponsored, Central Sector, and State Government Schemes pertaining to the Mission’s chosen components.
4)What exactly is a rurban area?
Ans RURBAN refers to an area where urban and rural activities coexist. These rurbancentres are relatively new. Emerging towns governed by rural local governments, the activities in these areas are urban in nature. The document.