Lok Sabha Question No. 1307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-09
Subject: Implementation of PURA in Bihar
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1307 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2021

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PURA IN BIHAR

## 1307. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) scheme implemented in Bihar especially in district Gopalganj;
- (b) the norms/criteria fixed for selection/identification of Rural/Gram Panchayat clusters in the said district for development under the scheme; and
- (c) the  number and details of projects likely to be implemented in Bihar including district Gopalganj, districtwise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) was implemented in a pilot mode in seven  clusters  by  selecting  one  cluster  each  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Assam,  Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for a period of three years (PURA-1.0 2004-05 to 2006-07).  In Bihar it was implemented in Motipur cluster, district Muzaffarpur.  No cluster was allocated to Gopalganj District of the State of Bihar. The scheme was restructured in 2010 and was being implemented in eight Districts of five States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra,  Rajasthan  and  Uttrakhand.    The  scheme  aimed  at  holistic  and  accelerated development of compact areas around a potential growth centre in Gram Panchayat(s) through Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  framework  for  providing  livelihood  opportunities  and  urban amenities to improve the quality of life in rural areas. The primary objective of the scheme was to provide  livelihood opportunities and urban amenities in rural areas to bridge the rural - urban divide. The salient features of the scheme were as below:

- (i) Convergence of Central and State Government schemes.
- (ii) Implementation in project mode and life cycle cost approach.
- (iii) Implementation through a single private partner to ensure simultaneous delivery of key infrastructure required in villages leading to optimal use of resources.
- (iv) Selection of clusters by private partner be based on economic viability coupled with need of development of the area.
- (v) Agreement between Gram Panchayat and the private partner that makes the restructured PURA a model for empowerment of Gram Panchayats and public accountability.

(b)   Under the scheme the Private Partner, selected to undertake PURA projects, was to identify a Gram Panchayat or a cluster of geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats for a population of about 25,000-40,000. There could be sub-projects to cover each of the Panchayats within the cluster, or a single large Panchayat could individually provide critical mass to make the project viable. In the identified PURA  area,  the  Private  Partner  was  to  plan and  put up  an implementation action plan for different projects/ sub-projects of PURA.

- (c) The scheme had been discontinued with effect from 2015-16.

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