Question : SMART VILLAGES

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce any scheme to create smart villages on lines with the scheme for creation of one hundred smart cities in the country;

(b) if so, the number of villages proposed to be converted into smart villages in the first phase and states from where such villages are proposed to be selected;

(c) the time period fixed for converting villages into smart villages;

(d) the percentage of rural families that have migrated to cities during the last three years; and

(e) whether the potential of the smart village scheme for checking such migration has been evaluated and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BIRENDER SINGH)

(a) At present, there is no proposal in the Department of Rural Development to introduce a scheme to create smart villages in the country on the lines with the scheme for creation of one hundred smart cities in the country. However, recently a scheme, namely, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) has been launched to create model villages in the country.

(b & c) In view of (a) above the questions do not arise.

(d) No data is being maintained in the Department of Rural Development in this regard.

(e) In view of (a) above the question does not rise.