National Rurban Mission (NRuM)

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'. Hence taking cognizance of this, the Government of India, has launched the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), aimed at developing such rural areas by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities. The Mssion was launched on 21st February, 2016.

The Mission aims at development of 300 Rurban clusters, in the next five years. These clusters would be strengthened with the required amenities, for which it is proposed that resources be mobilized through convergence of various schemes of the Government, over and above which a Critical Gap Funding (CGF) would be provided under this Mission, for focused development of these clusters.

Vision

The National Rurban Mission (NRuM) 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".

Objective

The objective of the National Rurban Mission (NRuM) is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.

Outcomes

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.

Rurban Cluster

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. As far as practicable, clusters of villages would follow administrative convergence units of Gram Panchayats and shall be within a single block/tehsil for administrative convenience. To get the list of Approved Clusters, click here.

Selection Procedure

There will be two categories of clusters under NRuM: Non-Tribal and Tribal The process of selection will vary for each of these categories. While selecting the Rurban cluster the State may identify a large village/gram panchayat that are growth centers with resources available in the area that could potentially lead the economic transformation of the region. These growth centers could also be block headquarter villages or census towns. The clusters could then be formed by identifying geographically contiguous villages/gram panchayats within a radius of 5–10 km (or radius appropriate to the population density and geography of the region) around the identified growth center.

Non Tribal

For selection of Non- Tribal clusters, the Ministry would provide a list of leading sub districts to each State, within which the clusters could be identified. The selection of these sub districts by the Ministry would be based on parameters such as

• Decadal Growth in Rural Population
• Decadal Growth in Non-Farm work force participation
• Presence of Economic Clusters
• Presence of places of Tourism and Pilgrimage significance.
• Proximity to Transport Corridors.

Appropriate weightages have been given for each parameter. Thereafter, within these sub districts, so identified by the Ministry, the State Governments could select the clusters and while doing so, could include the following performance parameters:

• Decadal growth in Rural Population.
• Rise in Land Values.
• Decadal growth in Non- Farm Work force participation.
• Percentage Enrollment of girls in secondary schools.
• Percentage Households with Bank accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
• Performance in Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
• Good Governance Initiatives by Gram Panchayats.

Any other factor which the States may consider relevant may also be included. However, a total weightage of 80% would be given for the first 4 parameters and the States will have the flexibility to choose the last three parameters, subject to a total weightage of 20%.

Tribal

For identification of the tribal clusters, the Ministry would select the leading sub districts falling within the top 100 tribal districts of the country, based on the Scheduled Tribes population. The selection of these sub districts would be based on parameters such as

• Decadal growth in Tribal Population
• Current Tribal Literacy Rate
• Decadal growth in Non- Farm Work force participation
• Decadal growth in Rural Population and
• Presence of Economic Clusters.

Appropriate weightages have been given for each of these parameters while selecting the sub districts. Thereafter, within these sub districts so identified by the Ministry, the State Governments would select the clusters and while doing so, could include the following performance parameters:

• Decadal growth in Tribal Population.
• Growth in Tribal Literacy rates.
• Decadal growth in Non- Farm Work force participation.

Any other factor which the States may consider relevant may be included in addition to the above three parameters, provided the weightage for the above three parameters is not reduced below 80%.

Source : National Rurban Mission

Related resources

1. FAQs on National Rurban Mission
2. Frameworks of Implementation