Rurban Odisha Cluster

Rurban Odisha

Mission's Outcomes

The larger outcomes envisaged under this Mission are:

 i. Bridging the rural-urban divide-viz: economic, technological and those related to facilities and services.

 ii. Stimulating local economic development with emphasis on reduction of poverty and unemployment in rural areas.

 iii. Spreading development in the region.

 iv. Attracting investment in rural areas.

Mission's Objective

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

Mission's 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".

About the Mission

As per Census of India statistics, the rural population in India, stands at 833 million, constituting almost 68% of the total population. Further, the rural population has shown a growth of 12% during the 2001-2011 period and there has been an increase in the absolute number of villages by 2279 units, during the same period.

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. Hence, making a case for concerted policy directives for such clusters. These clusters once developed can then be classified as 'Rurban'. Hence taking cognizance of this, the Government of India, has proposed the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), aimed at developing such rural areas by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.

Taking also into view, the advantages of clusters, both from an economic view point as well as to optimize benefits of infrastructure provision, 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.

Thakurmunda cluster

Thakurmunda Rurban cluster is around 160 KM (Via NH-6) away from the district head office in Baripada. Thakurmunda itself is a block under Mayurbhanj district. This cluster is a tribal rurban cluster which consists of 28 villages falling under 3 Gram Panchayats namely Digdhar GP, Bharndia GP and Thakurmunda GP. As per Census 2011, this rurban cluster consists population of 19,757 of which ST population is 61.07%, SC is 11.14% and remaining 27.79% are from Others category. The cluster has a literacy rate of 55.15%.

 Thakurmunda cluster is blessed with natural beauty and one of its sides is being covered by ‘Similipal Tiger Reserve’. The cluster has rich availability of natural resources. Availability of natural resources has further added to diversified livelihood opportunities; be it farm or non-farm. It has a great potential to become a model cluster for other rurban clusters in terms of its greenery, activities undertaken by SHGs such as leaf plate making, Phenyl making, women trained in making Agarbattis and in terms of agriculture, it has good production of paddy, mango and jackfruit. RURBAN Mission will endeavor itself to use and channelize its growth potentials and available resources in a sustainable way to achieve social and economical well-being of population at large.

Samasingha cluster

Samasingha cluster, which comes under Kolabira block of Jharsuguda district, is one of the five clusters which have been covered under ICAP. Under this cluster there are 29villages from 7 GPs. Samasingha cluster comes under non-tribal characterization of cluster. Samasingha itself is a GP, which is the largest GP in terms of population in this cluster. Although this cluster falls under the category of non-tribal cluster, it still has considerable number of ST population apart from SC, OBC and few general category populations. Major workforce of this cluster is involved in agriculture related activities. It is however noticeable fact that this block is only 10-15 Km away from major industrial site of Vedanta, and other big companies. This creates an opportunity to engage major number of workforce form nearby villages, but lack of skill and certain technical expertise has barred them from working there. As, farmers here are not able to take second crop, they mostly remain unemployed, in remaining season. Women workforce is mostly into broom making and collection of few NTFP.

Despite of several constraints, there lies a big potential of turning this cluster into cluster with diverse and sustainable livelihood opportunities. As it has better inner and outer road connectivity across the villages. There are families who have been getting skill through their forefathers, such as of pottery, jewelry and other handicrafts etc. Such skills can be shaped up into income generation livelihood options.

Apart from livelihood options, few areas which need attention are women and child health, improving infrastructure of Aganwadi, and PHCs, providing technical education to youth, strengthening SHGs etc.

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission : Odisha

Going through the vision of Government of India i.e. "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". Rurban Mission, Odisha has already paved its way through carrying out various activities, at its 5 clusters. Odisha is currently having 5 clusters included in the current year, which includes 3 non-tribal and 2 tribal clusters. 

Through its initial activities like, field visits, baseline survey, ICAP preparation etc. Rurban Odisha has begun its journey. Clusters have also been categorized further based upon their potential, needs, opportunities etc.  

Paintings on the mud wall of house. 

Local Houses being re-innovated. 

Glimpse of Odisha: Through its Villages

Tribal Population living deep inside forest.

Forest dwellers being given properly planned village with basic facilities like street lights, drainage etc.