The concept of Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) hinges fundamentally on the establishment of robust connectivity networks. At its core, PURA seeks to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas by bringing urban-like facilities and infrastructure to rural regions, thereby enhancing the quality of life for rural inhabitants. This ambitious initiative, championed by former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, recognizes that connectivity forms the bedrock upon which all other amenities and developments can thrive. By establishing reliable transportation links, including roads, highways, and public transit systems, PURA aims to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods, and services between rural and urban areas. Moreover, connectivity extends beyond physical infrastructure to encompass digital networks, such as broadband internet access, which opens avenues for education, healthcare, e-commerce, and communication. In essence, the success of PURA hinges on its ability to create interconnected communities where access to essential amenities is not hindered by geographical boundaries. Therefore, emphasizing connectivity as the basis of PURA underscores its pivotal role in fostering inclusive development and bridging the rural-urban divide.
Tag: Social sector initiatives such as Employment Generation Programmes, Basic Amenities: Housing / Drinking Waters / Sanitation, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, etc.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to write about PURA and its need.
- In Body, discuss PURA and its implementation based on connectivity.
- Conclude with the impact PURA has in rural areas.
Answer:
PURA was mooted by the former President Dr. Abdul Kalam in January 2003 as a way of empowering and accelerating rural development.The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) implemented the PURA scheme on a pilot basis in seven clusters for a period of three years (2004- 05 to 2006-07).
PURA 2.0 as a central sector scheme was launched in 2012 focussing on the development of potential growth centers such as census towns.
The key characteristics of the scheme are:
- Simultaneous delivery of key infrastructure in villages leading to optimal use of resources.
- Provision of funds for O&M of assets for ten years post-construction, along with capital investment for creation of assets.
- Transformation of several schemes into a single project, to be implemented as per set standards in a defined timeframe, with the requirements of each scheme being kept intact.
- Combining livelihoods creation with infrastructure development.
- Enforcement of standards of service delivery in rural areas.
- Enforcement of service standards through a legally binding arrangement.
Various connectivity measures:
- Electricity: `Electricity connectivity gives an opportunity for connection of villages to urban centres and leads to the development of the villages.
- Building Roads: Roads are nodes of connectivity; year-long roads provide all-weather connectivity between rural and urban areas. It will provide an opportunity for development, not only development but it leads to inclusive growth and development.
- Urban Amenities: Urban amenities such as street lights, providing telecom services, including internet services improves connectivity between villages and urban centres.
- Integrated Projects: village-linked tourism, integrated rural hub, rural market, warehousing, any other rural economy-based project. This will leads to the development of basic infrastructure development.
- Asset Creation: Asset creation through PPP is another feature of the program. Asset creation such as rural water and sewerage construction, solid waste management, etc.
- Village Tourism: Village tourism is based on connectivity projects only. These connectivity projects lead to tourism like Agri tourism; without connectivity projects, tourism projects will not be successful.
The PURA model is based on the connectivity of the villages and creating the virtual city by providing the urban type of facilities in the nodal villages; it is a departure from the conventional wisdom of creating growth centers in rural areas. According to A P J Abdul Kalam, Providing connectivity to village complexes is an urgent need to bridge the urban-rural divide, generate employment and enhance rural prosperity. The integrated method, which will bring prosperity to rural India.
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