Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission, also known as Rurban Mission was launched on 22nd February 2016 by the Government of India to develop rural areas by providing them economic, social, and physical infrastructure facilities.
The mission aims at the development of 300 Rurban clusters in the next five years. These clustered villages would be provided with the required amenities, for which it is proposed that resources be mobilized through the convergence of various schemes of the government, over and above which a Critical Gap Funding (CGF) would be provided under this mission, for focused development of these clusters.
Objectives & Vision
The objective of the National Rurban Mission (NRuM) is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.
Enable cluster based development with a ‘rural soul and urban amenities’ along with the focus on equity and inclusiveness.
The vision of the National Rurban Mission (NRuM) focuses on the development of a cluster of villages, to preserve the rural community by providing them with access to equitable resources as an urban community is getting.
It promotes inclusiveness and equity and ensures that no village is deprived of the facilities and resources.
The mission has considered that these clusters do not get vulnerable just because they form a rural community but should be given every basic amenity like urban locale, thus making the mission ‘Rurban.’
Outcomes
The outcomes that are predicted under this mission are:
- Bridging the rural-urban divide-via: economic, technological, and those related to facilities and services.
- Invigorating local economic development with stress on depletion of poverty and unemployment.
- Spreading development in the region.
- Attracting investment in rural areas.
Rurban Cluster
A ‘Rurban cluster,’ can be known as a cluster of geographically contiguous villages with a population of around 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of around 5000 to15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas.
As far as possible, the clusters of the village will be held in a single block/tehsil for administrative convenience. The mission outlines 14 desirable components linked to developing skills and local entrepreneurship, economic activities, and providing necessary infrastructural facilities.
The clusters which have latent potential for growth in rural areas are selected from all States and UTs. Under NRuM, the clusters are classified as
- Tribal
- Non-tribal
The selection process varies for each of these two categories, which are explained below:
Non-tribal clusters
The Ministry of Rural development prepares a list of leading sub-districts based on the following parameters;
- Decadal growth in Rural Population,
- Decadal growth in Non-Farm work participation,
- Presence of economic clusters,
- Presence of places of Tourism and Religious significance and
- Proximity to Transport Corridors.
Thereafter, state governments would select the clusters from the list of leading sub-districts prepared by the Ministry of Rural Development based on the following parameters:
- Decadal growth in rural population,
- The rise in land values,
- Decadal growth in non-farm workforce participation,
- Percentage enrollment of girls in secondary schools,
- Percentage of households with bank accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana,
- Performance in Swacch Bharat Mission and
- Good governance initiatives by gram panchayats.
Any other parameter which the states may think is relevant may also be considered. A total weightage of 80%would be given for the first four parameters, and the states will have the liberty to choose the last three parameters, which are 20% weightage.
Tribal clusters
For tribal clusters, the Ministry would select the leading sub-districts falling within the top 100 tribal districts of the country, based on the scheduled tribe population.
The selection of these sub-districts is based on parameters such as:
- Decadal growth in tribal population current tribal literacy rate,
- Decadal growth in non-farm workforce participation decadal growth in Rural Population and
- Presence of economic clusters.
Selective weightages have been given for each of the parameters while choosing the sub-districts. The state government would select the clusters within these sub-districts while considering the following parameters;
- Decadal growth in tribal population,
- Growth in literacy rates and
- Decadal growth in Non-Farm WorkForce participation.
Any other factor which the state government may find relevant may be included with the parameters mentioned above.
The weightage for these parameters should not be reduced below 80%.
14 Components of Rurban Mission
Rurban Mission has envisaged these main areas for the development of a cluster of villages:
Training
To have more economic development of each cluster, training for skill enhancement is being organized to have full trained minds and efficacious earning and to put forward healthy economic activities. Small scale enterprises in the clusters could be more successful ventures with the help of this training.
Agro-Processing, Agri-Services, Storage, and warehousing
Under Rurban Mission, producing crops and doing agriculture is no more a gruesome task for farmers as there are a lot of facilities provided to them which includes, techniques to have more yield of crops, distribution of healthy seeds, well-structured irrigation plants and adequate supply of pests control spray or insecticides, etc.
Sanitation
Cleanliness and sanitation are a major concern these days, as urban localities are already doing great efforts to maintain cleanliness, rural communities are lagging behind owing to fewer resources. Under this mission, the government has planned to do a sanitation drive for a healthier and cleaner environment for the people living in these rural areas.
Solid and liquid waste management
Various waste management plants are being set up in the clusters to have a safe and disease-free environment, as waste and stagnant dirty water borne many harmful diseases.
Fully equipped mobile health unit
Health care facilities are inadequate in a rural community; residents do not get proper medication and therefore fall ill. Under the Rurban Mission, various mobile health care units are being installed to provide proper health measures and check-ups for the villagers.
Upgrading schools and education facilities
Education is a tool to curb inequality. As this proverb has some facts, schemes are being made to enhance the literacy rate in villages. Education is given so much priority now as it is a way to move further and get success. Educational institutions are being built in remote areas to provide children access to education.
Street lights
Street lights are also installed under this mission to have an easy and safe way for the commuters. These are set up for the easiness of the drivers and daily travelers.
Inter-village road connectivity
For the transportation of goods from one village to another and villagers who commute to the other village for work and to meet their folks, roads are built to lessen the commuting time.
Provision of piped water supply
Clean and piped water is provided to the villagers for better health. Villagers consume intoxicated water of the river and then get severe diseases. Pure drinking piped water is supplied to villages to lessen such ill-conditions regarding water.
Public transport
Under Rurban Mission, a public transport facility is put forward for the villagers to have easy and safe travel.
LPG gas connections
This mission has invigorated gas connections in the villages to reduce the food scarcity and to give a pollution free environment for the residents of the village.
Digital literacy
Nowadays, the digital world has taken development to another level. And to make this development exist in the cluster of villages, various camps are organized to teach villagers the use of smartphones and the internet, transaction of rupees, internet banking, and what not! Wi-Fi is being installed in schools and offices to have smooth internet surfing.
Citizen service centers
Self Help Groups and NGOs are delivering services to the residents of these villages. Ration and other daily requirements are provided to the villagers for free. These citizen service centers also improvise the living conditions of people by informing them about the measures and options to lead a good and healthy lifestyle.