Building ‘smart villages’

Among the decisions the Union Cabinet took on Wednesday was the one to develop 300 clusters of “smart villages”. The decision that comes close to the Bihar elections is probably aimed to strike a balance with “smart cities” and counter possible criticism of the NDA government's urban bias. Named after Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the scheme was announced in the 2015-16 budget. An outlay of Rs 5,142 crore was earmarked and it is to be implemented by 2019-20. The states will recommend, and the Centre will finalise, villages to be covered under the scheme. The clusters of villages will be provided with regular water supply, solid and liquid waste management, street lights, a healthcare system, skill training and IT linkages.   

 

Even if announced in the hope of winning some votes in Bihar, the decision is welcome. Critics may dub it another gimmick after the one on “smart cities”, it will accelerate economic activity in rural areas. There is no denying the fact that a holistic approach to develop villages, towns and cities is required. The challenge is enormous and fund shortage is a chronic problem. Money available under various Central and state schemes can be pooled. The rural job guarantee scheme too can be used to undertake projects required for making villages smart. Every village needs basic amenties like clean drinking water, sanitation, toilets, sewerage, electricity, roads, education and healthcare. People can be motivated for doing something for their own village/town/city. Roads and bridges have been built with voluntary labour and limited resources of individuals and panchayats. Philanthropic NRIs and public-spirited religious heads can chip in if projects are handled by persons of impeccable credentials. 

 

The focus on villages will help cities too. A pickup in economic activity will create employment at the local level and check migration to cities. A life less ordinary and less tiresome in villages will help villagers stay put, reducing pressure on civic amenities of towns and cities. The Centre can only make a symbolic gesture like Swachh Bharat; it is for the states to take the task of uplift of villages, towns and cities forward.