Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is under implementation across the country (launched in 2016).

It is a unique programme, designed to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.

Funding Support:

There is a funding support of up to 30% of the estimated investment for each Rurban cluster, given as Critical Gap Funding (CGF), while 70% of the funds is mobilized by the States through convergence with synergic State and Central programmes and private investment and institutional funding.

The CGF is now shared between the Centre and the State in a ratio of 60:40 for Plain area States and 90:10 for Himalayan and NE States.

Various Provisions:

Provision of basic amenities –

• Provision of 24/7 Water Supply to all households,
• Solid and Liquid Waste Management facilities at the household and cluster level

Provision of Inter and Intra village roads –

• Adequate Street Lights and Public Transport facilities using green technologies

Provision of Economic Amenities –

• Various thematic areas in the sectors of Agri Services and Processing, Tourism, and Skill development to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises

Behind the scene:

As per Census of India Statistics, the rural population in India stands at 833 million, constituting almost 68% of the total population.

The rural population has shown a growth of 12% during the 2001-2011 period and there has been an increase in the absolute number of villages during the same period.

Large parts of rural areas 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 location and competitive advantages.

Hence, making a case for concerted policy directives for such clusters; these clusters once developed can then be classified as ‘Rurban’.

Mission’s Objective:

The objective of the National Rurban Mission (NRuM) is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.

Source: PIB