Relevance: GS-1: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Key phrases: RURBAN mission

Why in news?

• Telangana tops in implementation of  RURBAN mission

Analysis:

What is the mission about?

• Mission's Objectives: Bridging the rural-urban divide- viz. economic, technological and those related to facilities and services
• It replaces PURA and further builds on the earlier idea in building 300 smart village clusters in next 3 years as major engines of growth
• Under the mission 300 Rurban clusters are envisaged to be developed in a time bound manner
• There are 2 categories of clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal
• It’s a centrally sponsored scheme

Importance/ Need of this mission

• India has more than 6 lakh villages while there are around 7,000 towns and urban centres. Out of a total population the rural population accounts for 69% and urban population 31%.
• The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) contribution of agriculture to the nation is only about 14%
• SPMRM growth clusters are playing a role in reducing urban migration by ensuring that basic infrastructure, utilities are provided and industrialization is promoted.
• Infrastructural growth can improve rural incomes, generate employment, further agricultural growth and encourage agro-based industries.
• Stimulating local economic development with emphasis on reduction of poverty and unemployment in rural areas.

How the mission is being implemented?

• Holistic and accelerated development of compact areas around a potential growth centre in a Gram Panchayat (or a group of Gram Panchayats) through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
• 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.
• Village Clusters are to be created on scientific basis of the demography, economy, tourism, physiography elements. States/UTs play central role in planning clusters.

Challenges associated

• Enabling, ensuring cooperation, synergy among various ministries, departments at state and center level is a huge task.
• Adequate, timely release of funds to the fiscally stressed states, local bodies and upholding their autonomy.
• Clarity and awareness towards implementation of the scheme by several officials is to be addressed specially at the decentralized level.

Success story

• Out of 300 Rurban clusters, 291 Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) and 282 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been developed by States /UTs

Way ahead

• A synchronization between authorities of different levels is needed to facilitate the decentralization
• Roping in the local bodies and making it a people’s movement where they take it as ownership

Source: The Hindu 

Mains Question:

Q. What are the emerging challenges of urban development in India? Also, mention the negative externalities of myopic urban development models. (15 Marks, 250 Words).