Question : Urban Amenities in Rural Areas

(a) the status of the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) scheme at present and the percentage of villages where urban amenities have already been provided;

(b) the details regarding changes and amendments in the implementation of the said scheme or the current operational scheme;

(c) whether the Government proposes to involve private sector in the implementation of the said scheme and the current operational scheme;

(d) whether the States may be allowed to modify the scheme and converge it with their similarly placed schemes; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)


(a) : The said scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. 2015-16.

(b) to (e): A new scheme Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) has been implemented in 2015-16 with the objective of creating 300 rural growth clusters all over the country. SPMRM aims to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services and create well planned Rurban clusters.The scheme guidelines, inter-alia provide that after approval of the Critical Gap Fund (CGF) by the Empowered Committee (EC), the State shall appoint agencies for the implementation of the projects for construction and for operation and maintenance period either through conventional contracts or Public Private Partnership (PPP) as per the approved implementation plan.

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