Page 37 - NIS English February 16-28

HOW ‘RURBAN’ WAS PROPOSED

Former President late APJ l Around 300 Rurban clusters in 5 years; the Government is aiming for
Abdul Kalam highlighted a 1,000 more in the next 3 years
vision of transformation of l The idea behind Rurban is to develop a village which offers facilities
rural India by launching a like a city. While doing so, it is ensured to preserve and nurture the
large scale mission for Pro- essence of rural community life
vision of Urban Amenities l Aim was to develop 300 Rurban clusters in initial 5 years. By Febru-
in Rural Areas (PURA). He ary 2020, the Government gave approval for developing 296 clusters
visualised providing four l Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having a popula-
elements of connectivi- tion of 30-40 Lakh. Clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram
ty: Physical connectivity, Panchayats with a population of about 25,000 to 50,000 in plain and
electronic connectivity, coastal areas and a population of 5,000 to 15,000 in desert, hilly or
knowledge connectivity tribal areas
and economic connectivity. l These clusters are identified by the Ministry of Rural Development
The pilot project of PURA by adopting a scientific process to analyse various aspects such as
failed. Rurban was formed
population, economic potential, capacities, tourism, etc., at the district,
after this.
sub-district and village level
l These clusters would be developed by provisioning of economic
activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship and
providing infrastructure amenities

T a e e t at e e t eo e e e o e o I a
Soo t e oa o t e o ea e o t A goo a e o t o e o g
o t o t e age e a a a e, e t e e t T e e
e t e e o ga e a o e te t e o o a t t e
W t t ag at o e a e ta t g t R a og a e to a
I e e e e t a toget e t e o t , o o
eo e a e go g to e e t o t
P e M te Na e a Mo

Rurban Mission scheme in Chhattisgarh on true sense, it is important that villages are
February 21, 2016. In his address, he said: also developed. If we have to make economic
“People say if there is Smart City why not progress, provide employment to people then
Smart Village?” we need to take the development to grass
The scheme was named after Dr Shyama root levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prasad Mukherji. Rurban is a word made by said: “The idea of Rurban mission has been
joining ‘rur’ from rural and ‘ban’ from the word conceived to make them the centres of growth.
urban. The scheme is aimed at developing It will make them the nerve centre of economic
rural areas by provisioning of economic, social growth. There will be small markets, trade will
and physical infrastructure facilities. run for 5-10 nearby villages and slowly they
For the development of the country in a will become Rurban.”

New India Samachar 35