Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

About Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

• Launched in 2016, the programme is designed to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.
• It is now a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Funding: 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.
• The Mission aims at development of 300 Rurban clusters, in five years. The objective is to give a boost to economic activities, skill development and infrastructure amenities in the regions.
• Development: Under the mission, the Central government in coordination with the district administration has taken measures to bring about multi-layered phased development of the rural gram panchayats and villages on the lines of urban cities with proper civic amenities keeping the soul of villages intact.

About Rurban Areas

• A ‘Rurban cluster’, would be 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.
• These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth, have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages.
• The larger outcomes envisaged under this Mission are:
  • Bridging the rural-urban divide-viz: economic, technological and those related to facilities and services.
  • Stimulating local economic development with emphasis on reduction of poverty and unemployment in rural areas.
  • Spreading development in the region.
  • Attracting investment in rural areas.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission:
1.All expenses of the scheme are borne by the central government.
2.A ‘Rurban cluster’, would be 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.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question