4-Nov-2022: Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal, Mizoram becomes the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM). SPMRM was launched by the  Prime Minister in February 2016 with a vision to provide amenities to rural areas which are perceived to be urban and have the potential to stimulate local economic development. Such clusters were selected for well-planned and holistic development.

Under the leadership of the Minister of Rural Development, Sri Giriraj Singh, the Aibawk Rurban cluster completed all the 48 projects planned under SPMRM. Spread over an area of 522 sq. km across 11 villages and covering a population of 10,963, the Aibawk cluster has the locational advantage due to its proximity to Aizwal City.  Focussed efforts to improve the value chain and develop market access have been made under the Mission. Works undertaken to improve market access includes the construction of Agri-link road, pedestrian footpaths, and inter-village road connectivity projects etc. Other interventions include the promotion of agriculture & allied activities and eco-tourism. Special efforts were made to conserve the local environment and sites of historical importance to encourage tourism.

• Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission.
• Agri-link road, pedestrian footpaths, and inter-village road connectivity projects undertaken to improve market access.
• Infrastructure created includes roads, footpaths, drains, water supply, and car parking and social infrastructures like a conference center, sports infrastructure.

The interventions undertaken to improve livelihood are making an impact on the economic well-being of the local populace.

The interventions undertaken to improve livelihood are making an impact on the economic well-being of the local populace. Some of these include Dragon fruit cultivation, piggery and poultry activities, nature trail projects, Rurban Eco Estate Phulpui and Nature Park. The Wholesale Market Sateek project has helped the local population within and around the cluster to market their Agri -products.

In addition to this, a holistic development approach was employed to provide basic infrastructure like roads, footpaths, drains, water supply, and car parking and social infrastructures like a conference center, sports infrastructure, and upgradation of facilities at educational institutions. Sports infrastructure like the Badminton court and Futsal Ground has helped economically poor players to represent District and the State Level tournaments.

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.

22-Mar-2022: Integrated Project Based Infrastructure in Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)

The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of urban growth. SPMRM is an attempt to make the selected rural and tribal areas socially, economically and physically sustainable region by providing economic, social and infrastructure amenities that address improved quality of life aspirations there along with growth and employment. 300 Rurban clusters with thematic economic growth points are being developed across the country under this mission. Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) are prepared at cluster level identifying the gaps and needs of the region and the community, in consultation with different stakeholders such as PRI members, different line department, community based institutions, etc.

The Mission focuses on holistic development of clusters and to ensure an optimum level of development, projects are identified and proposed for integrated development of the clusters under twenty-one desirable components including the components of skill development training linked to economic activities, Agri-services processing and allied activities, employment generation and SHG formation, and tourism promotion that are generating the employment opportunities for rural youth.

In so far Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is concerned, State of Karnataka has been allocated 08 cluster.

7-Dec-2021: Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Rural Urban Mission (SPMRM) is achieving all its goals steadily despite its inherent complexity and uniqueness

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) was launched in the year 2016 in mission mode to develop 300 clusters in the country holistically by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities. The goal of SPMRM is 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. The main objectives of SPMRM are to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.

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) of the country. Out of 300 Rurban clusters, 291 Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) and 282 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been developed by States /UTs with a proposed investment of Rs. 27,788.44 (Critical Gap Fund + Convergence Fund).

Following, significant achievements have been made:

1. An expenditure of Rs.15,072.34 crore, constituting 54.24% of the outlay has already been incurred.
2. Out of total 76,973 projected works under the Mission, a total of 40,751 (55%) works are either completed or near completion stage.
3. To propagate planned development, the planning notification has been done for 248 clusters.
4. Regarding the objective of having 'sustainable planned development of rural habitat on spatial perspective' a spatial planning platform has been developed in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics and Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Mentor institutions have been onboarded for providing technical assistance to States/UTs in implementation of the Mission apart from strengthening technological infrastructure in rural areas.

Therefore, Mission is achieving all its goals steadily despite its inherent complexity and uniqueness.

NITI Aayog, while evaluating the implementation of SPMRM, found that “SPMRM growth clusters are playing a role 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 ...".

20-Feb-2020: 4th Anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) on 21st February, 2020

The 4th Anniversary of the launch of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) will be observed tomorrow. On 21st February 2016, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Mission with the vision to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.

Undertaken by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, the SPMRM focuses on cluster-based integrated development through Spatial Planning. 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.

The Mission aims to transform these Rurban clusters by stimulating local economic development, enhancing basic services, and creating well planned Rurban clusters. This would lead to holistic development of the region and encourage integrated and inclusive rural development.

Under the mission 300 Rurban clusters are envisaged to be developed in a timebound manner. Of these 296 clusters have been selected and number of Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) approved are 288 and Detailed Project Reports of 240 have been approved.

SPMRM is a Core Centrally Sponsored Scheme, The Mission has two fund streams: (1) Convergence through various Central sector schemes, centrally sponsored schemes, State sector/ sponsored schemes/ programmes, CSR funds, and (2) Critical Gap Funds (CGF). It provides for CGF upto Rs. 30 crore per cluster for Non-tribal clusters, and upto Rs. 15 crore per cluster for Tribal and Hilly State clusters.

Currently, total Central Share funds released till date is Rs. 1,842.97 cr. Total  investment approved in 288 ICAPs is Rs.28,075 cr with convergence being Rs.21,194 cr and Rs. 6,882cr. Of this, total expenditure, as on 30th November 2019, was Rs.6,689 cr of which Rs. 5,619 cr formed convergence and Rs. 1,071 cr under CGF. The CGF Funds release is expected to cross target of Rs. 1,200 crore by 31st March, 2020.

Infrastructure planned in these clusters includes 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 within the cluster, adequate street lights and public transport facilities using green technologies. Economic amenities in a cluster comprise various thematic areas in the sectors of Agri Services and Processing, Tourism, and Skill Development to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

SPMRM clusters focus selecting interventions from the following components depending on locally felt need as identified during baseline survey:

(i) Sanitation, (ii) Piped Water Supply, (iii) Solid and Liquid Waste Management, (iv) Village Street Lights and Electrification, (v) Access to Village Streets With Drains, (vi) Inter Village Roads Connectivity, (vii) Public Transport, (viii) Skill Development Training Linked to Economic Activities, (ix) Agri-Services Processing and Allied Activities, (x) Health, (xi) Education, (xii) Digital Literacy, (xiii) Citizens Service Centres, (xiv) LPG Gas Connection, (xv) Environment, (xvi) Employment Generation and SHG Formation, (xvii) Tourism Promotion, (xviii) Sports Infrastructure, (xix) Social Infrastructure, (xx) Rural Housing, (xxi) Social Welfare.

Going forward, the Ministry of Rural Development is taking steps to expedite Mission’s on-ground progress. The Mission is seeking extension by 2 years to complete all the identified works. Ministry has received requests on several forums and communications from many States and elected officials to allocate more Rurban clusters. NITI Aayog has recently shared with Ministry that based on learning from the success of the Rurban clusters, a new and extended programme for over a 1,000 clusters in next 3 years may be planned.

In words of the Prime Minister, the objective is to develop the clusters with आत्मा गॉव की...., सुविधाएं शहर की…’ by providing all the basic amenities, infrastructure as well as economic development opportunities in an integrated and timebound manner.

24-Jun-2019: Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates National Workshop on Experience Sharing under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

The Union Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated a one day workshop on experience sharing under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM).

SPMRM focuses on cluster based integrated development through Geo – spatial Planning for holistic development of the region while encouraging innovation and integrated and inclusive rural development. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar addressing the gathering asserted that SPMRM would improve the living condition of rural areas. Shri Tomar insisted that SPMRM should draw inspiration from the life of Shyama Prasad Mukherji and bring in development based on his vision of reducing the rural – urban divide. The Minister pointed out that each mission requires funds, however, success of a mission is equally dependent on the mind-set of the community and their ownership. He advised that rural – urban migration would be reduced if we provide employment, education and basic amenities in these clusters. He laid emphasis on the skill development linked with market linkage and insisted on developing theme based clusters which would encourage entrepreneurial skill and buying power of the cluster. Shri Tomar emphasised that cleanliness plays a pivotal role in providing a hygienic and healthy environment and this should be brought in with the help of community participation and by making it a mass movement.

As per a study carried out by World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018 three lakh children were saved from diarrhoea as cleanliness was improved vis-à-vis an earlier study done in 2015. Swachhata Award must be taken up in these clusters. The Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti stated that due to constant effort for ensuring community participation, the rural population is now aware of their rights and that the Sarpanchs act as a link between Government of India and rural population. She insisted that with the well planned development foreseen in the Rurban Cluster, employment would be created which will help reduce rural migration. She also proposed that clusters may be awarded based on their development so that they act as an inspiration for other clusters. She stressed on the need of employment generative skill development. Member of Parliament Shri Pakodi Lal Kol, appreciated the work being done in their Kodai cluster. He informed that this has improved the basic infrastructure facilities and the cluster which was earlier in the dark has now got well-lit through this program. The Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Amarjeet Sinha appreciated that this workshop is being held where elected representative are sharing their experiences on the development taking place under Rurban Mission in their respective areas. Shri Sinha informed that studies have revealed that rural areas contribute to 50% of agriculture manufacturing goods and contribute one fifth to the service sector and these are mainly the clusters which have more than 75% population engaged in non-farming activities. He further informed that Rurban clusters would witness a well planned development through infused economic activities along with infrastructure development.

Elected representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Nagaland, Karnataka, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh shared their experience. Apart from infrastructural development through the mission, the participants informed that it has also helped in increasing the income of the population through economic activity generation initiatives like Agro – processing, bakery industries, garments manufacturing, e-rickshaw services, Agri-equipment bank. Further several states presented their experiences on successful implementation and impact of solid waste management activities. The meeting was attended by more than 275 participants which includes over 80 elected representatives from the States and Union Territories.

SPMRM aims to provide well planned basic amenities along with economic development activities. The mission has an objective for comprehensive development of 300 clusters out of which Integrated Cluster Action Plans for 279 clusters have been approved. Total investment in these 279 clusters is estimated at Rs. 26,258 Crores of which Rs. 5,150 crore has already been spent which includes Rs.800 crore from Critical Gap Funding and the remaining from convergence. Basic amenities in a cluster typically comprises of 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 within the cluster, adequate street lights and public transport facilities using green technologies. Economic Amenities in a cluster comprise various thematic areas in the sectors of Agri Services and Processing, Tourism, and Skill development to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

13-Dec-2018: Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is under implementation across the country. The Mission has progressed since the launch in 2016. Out of the mandated 300 clusters, 295 clusters have been identified and approved across 29 States and 6 Union Territories.

SPMRM was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on February 21st, 2016 with an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 crore. This is a unique programme, designed to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth. 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 as well as private investment and institutional funding. Upon being re-classified as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 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.

Further, through intense engagements with the States, 232 Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs), which are the blue prints of investment for each cluster, have been approved. Rs1314 crore of Central Share of CGF, Rs. 627.91 crore as corresponding State Share and Rs. 103.25 crore of Administrative Funding, has been released to 29 States and 6 Union Territories over the last four financial years. In FY 2015-16, administrative funds of Rs.32.05 crore has been released. In FY 2016-17, the BE of Rs. 300 crore was doubled at the RE stage to reach 100% expenditure, with a total release of Rs. 600 crore. In FY 2017-18, Rs. 553.26 crore was released to States/UTs against the revised estimate of Rs. 600 crore. In the current FY 2018-19, 236.90crore has been released till date, against a revised estimate (RE) of Rs. 551.03 crore.

Substantial part of the works identified for development in the clusters is focused on provision of basic and economic amenities. Provision of basic amenities in a cluster typically comprise; 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 within the cluster, adequate Street Lights and Public Transport facilities using green technologies. Provision of Economic Amenities in a cluster comprise various thematic areas in the sectors of Agri Services and Processing, Tourism, and Skill development to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Ram Kripal Yadav in Lok Sabha today.