The government will launch a pilot project in 8 districts under the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas, PURA. The scheme will provide livelihood opportunities and urban amenities in rural area to bridge the rural – urban divide thereby reducing the migration from rural to urban areas. <br/><br/>Briefing reporters after concluding two day National Conference of District Rural Development Agencies in New Delhi today, the Rural Development Minister, Mr C.P Joshi said that the Cabinet has approved the implementation PURA Scheme within the plan outlay of 248 crore rupees during 11th plan. <br/><br/>He said that the fund will be utilized for providing capital grant up to 35 per cent of the pilot project to meet the viability gap for operations and maintenance in collaboration with Panchayat and Public Partnership. Mr Joshi said, the unique features of this scheme could be tested on the ground and would enable its up scaling in future.<br/><br/>Mr. Joshi also mentioned that the Government is proposing to re-vamp Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission with an aim to building capacities of the rural poor for self employment and skilled wage employment in the private sector.