Third Party Evaluation Study of Shyama Prasad Mukharji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala (Zone - 6)

The objective of SPMRM is to provide several kinds of infrastructural facilities to rural areas so as to avoid further Migration and make sure people living in rural areas also enjoy basic services to the best possible extent. India is a country where more than 60 percent of its population lives in rural areas. Among the rural population, there is substantial inadequacy in terms of basic amenities/ facilities/ infrastructure and development progress of the villages/ rural areas. During the last 70 years of Independence, Central and State Governments have tried and tested several schemes/ programs for sustainable development of rural areas. However, the tangible results of these schemes are not visible in terms of comprehensive self-sustainable development of rural communities due to several reasons and success in totality is still to be achieved. The primary reason is major disconnect between the development inputs being delivered by the government agencies, and the actual real-time requirements of the villages. In many decades that have gone by, villages of India have been made to rely more on the grants and subsidies provided by the government agencies, than making village entities self-reliant and self-sufficient.

SPMRM scheme was launched on 21^st, February, 2016 with the objectives of creating vibrant and equipped rural areas with a decentralized approach as the nucleus of infrastructure, health, cleanliness, greenery, skill development and digital amenities as an amalgam for experiencing increased living standards in rural areas. The implementation of the scheme had significant success and ----crores have been spent on several facilities involving 3 states. In the context of this project, certain clusters have been identified by GoI, and RCUES Hyderabad has conducted detailed third-party evaluation on scheme implementation and its influence on rural areas.

The overall summary proves that there is adequate impact of SPMRM implementation and whatever facilities which have been completed and provided are very much appreciated in all 3 states.  As a state wise analysis, Andhra Pradesh has seen more progress in terms of water supply, Quality education, Health sub centers, solid waste management, Transportation etc., Telangana experienced growth in the areas of Establishment of smart class rooms, safe drinking water, burial grounds development, etc.  whereas Kerala focused more on Education and health, social welfare schemes, livelihood opportunities facilities. The study made detailed analysis for all 3 states and is shown in Chapter 3.

Key Points

• Mission's Objectives: Bridging the rural-urban divide-viz: economic, technological and those related to facilities and services.
• Rurban Clusters: There are 2 categories of clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal.

• 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.
• For the purposes of SPMRM, Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30 to 40 lakh population. The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas.

• Role of states: The State Government identifies the clusters in accordance with the Framework for Implementation prepared by the MoRD.

• For the selection of clusters, the MoRD is adopting a scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the district, sub district and village level, of the demography, economy, tourism and pilgrimage significance and transportation corridor impact.

• Funding: SPMRM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

• The Mission has 2 fund streams: Convergence through various schemes (Central sector, centrally sponsored schemes, State sector/ sponsored schemes/ programmes, CSR funds etc) and Critical Gap Funds (CGF).

• Progress: Under the mission 300 Rurban clusters are envisaged to be developed in a time bound manner. Of these 296 clusters have been selected and Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs) approved.

The Mission is seeking extension by 2 years to complete all the identified works.

Spurred by the success of Rurban clusters, NITI Aayog has proposed a new and extended programme for over 1,000 clusters in next 3 years.

The overall coverage of the Rurban evaluation study is detailed in the following table

Source:  Primary Household survey