Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

Aibawk Rurban cluster completed all the 48 projects planned under SPMRM

Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM).

The joint efforts made by the Centre and State with the involvement of the local community have proved a stepping-stone to the second stage of rural development which goes beyond poverty alleviation and tries to meet the aspirations of the people.

It was launched in the year 2016 in mission mode to develop 300 clusters in the country holistically by provisioning economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission:

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2016 by the MInistry of Rural Development (MoRD) to deliver integrated project based infrastructure in the rural areas, which also include development of economic activities and skill development.

A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), announced in 2003.

Main objective of the scheme is bridging the rural-urban divide-viz: economic, technological and those related to facilities and services.

There are 2 categories of clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal.

Rurban Clusters (Non-Tribal and Tribal):

They are identified across the country’s rural areas showing increasing signs of urbanization - i.e. increase in population density, high levels of non-farm employment, presence of growing economic activities and other socioeconomic parameters.

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.

Rurban clusters are identified across the country’s rural areas showing increasing signs of urbanization - i.e. increase in population density, high levels of non-farm employment, presence of growing economic activities and other socioeconomic parameters.

Significance:

SPMRM growth clusters are playing a role in reducing urban migration by ensuring that basic infrastructure, utilities are provided and industrialization is promoted.

It is very relevant for ensuring transformational developments as against transitional developments in India’s rural development sector.