The government will develop 300 rural clusters under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) in the country by provisioning of economic activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship and providing infrastructure amenities. Out of the total, 100 clusters will be taken up in the first phase.
About fourteen components have been suggested as desirable for inclusion in the development of Rurban Cluster which include piped water supply, agro processing, agri services, storage and warehousing, sanitation, solid and liquid waster management, health care connectivity, skill development, public transport, LPG connection and full digital connections, among others.
Under the SPMRM the state governments would identify centrally sponsored, central sector or state government schemes relevant for the development of the cluster and meet their implementation in an integrated and time- bound manner. Rural Development Minister Birender Singh has said that the state governments may at its own discretion additionally converge any other state or central government scheme not falling under the above components. Further it could be finalised after due consultation with the Gram Panchayats.