The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) has advocated transformation and development of “smart villages” across the country to improve standard of living in the rural areas and boost the rural economy. Development of rural India holds the key to the nation’s sustainable economic growth, it said.
SCOPE Director-General U.D. Choubey told The Hindu over the weekend that the smart villages, to be developed on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative for smart cities, would have adequate infrastructure and proper environment for development of rural population. The facilities should include health and sanitation, housing, power, skill development centres and micro-industries.
SCOPE is the apex body of Central Government-owned public enterprises and has all the Central PSUs, a few State Government enterprises and some nationalised banks as its members.
Dr. Choubey pointed out that urban-rural divide was creating desperation among villagers and a large percentage of school dropouts in villages were “disgruntled jobless youths”, who had an inclination towards criminal activities. Over 44 per cent of the rural youths discontinue education due to financial constraints and lack of facilities.
Employment in villages is largely in agriculture sector, while industrial employment is less than four per cent. Dr. Choubey said all these factors called for more attention to rural development, and developing smart villages would be a better option for their economic growth.
“The task is enormous and requires tremendous planning as well as a huge amount of resources. State Governments, corporate sector and charitable institutions have to contribute generously,” said Dr. Chouby, adding that the provision of fund for development of villages by Members of Parliament may also serve the purpose.
Published - August 02, 2015 12:00 am IST
