Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is an attempt to make our rural areas socially, economically and physically sustainable regions. The Mission strives to strengthen rural areas by providing economic, social and infrastructure amenities, thus leading to sustainable and balanced regional development in the country.

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission: Introduction

• 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’.
• Taking cognizance of this, Union Cabinet approved the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) on September 16, 2015, with an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 crores. PM Modi launched the National Rurban Mission from Kurubhat, in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh on February 21, 2016.
• This comes under Ministry of Rural Development.
• SPMRM 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”.

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) in Hindi

What is the objective of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)?

The objective is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.

What is a ‘Rurban Cluster’?

A ‘Rurban cluster’ is a cluster of geographically contiguous villages with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and with a population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas.

What are the components of the scheme?

Under the National Rurban Mission (NRuM), the State Government shall identify existing Centrally Sponsored, Central Sector or State Government schemes relevant for the development of the cluster and converge their implementation in an integrated and time bound manner. Fourteen components have been suggested as desirable for inclusion in the development of the Rurban cluster.

Progress of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission2

• Under the Mission, presently, there are 109 tribal clusters and 191 non-tribal clusters under different stages of development across 28 States and 6 Union Territories (UTs).
• Out of 300 Rurban clusters, 298 clusters have been approved, 291 Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) and 282 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been developed by States /UTs with a total approved investment of Rs. 27,709.33 crore (Critical Gap Fund + Convergence Fund).
• Out of total 75,925 projected works under the Mission, a total of 35,449 works have been completed and a total of 15,919 works are ongoing (as on June 23, 2022).

What are the 14 desirable components recommended under the Mission?

The following components are envisaged as desirable components in each cluster:

(i) Skill development training linked to economic activities

(ii) Agro Processing, Agri Services, Storage and Warehousing.

(iii) Fully equipped mobile health unit.

(iv) Upgrading school /higher education facilities.

(v) Sanitation

(vi) Provision of piped water supply.

(vii) Solid and liquid waste management.

(viii) Village streets and drains.

(ix) Street lights

(x) Inter-village road connectivity.

(xi) Public transport.

(xii) LPG gas connections

(xiii) Digital Literacy.

(xiv) Citizen Service Centres- for electronic delivery of citizen centric services/e-gram connectivity.

Components pertaining to agriculture and allied activities would be required to be given special emphasis while developing these clusters.

Note : Under their scheme of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), twenty-one components have been suggested as desirable for the Cluster development and Tourism Promotion is one of the components.

What is Integrated Cluster Action Plan (ICAP) and Detailed Project Report (DPR)?

• Integrated Cluster Action Plan (ICAP) shall be a key document covering baseline studies outlining the requirements of the cluster and the key interventions needed to address these needs and to leverage its potential
• Detailed Project Report (DPR) contains the detailed design and costing of the project components in line with the state government norms. DPRs are detailed ‘good for execution’ documents prepared for the components proposed to be included by the States as Mission Outcomes for the clusters.

Other schemes:

Pradhan Mantri Jaiv Indhan – Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran Yojana scheme

National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission

Jan Samarth Portal