Dongargarh (Chhattisgarh), Feb 21 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ambitious 'Rurban Mission' for developing 300 villages across the country as urban growth centres amid his assertion that his government is for the poor, Dalits and other oppressed sections of the society.

Noting that the mission was aimed at curbing migration of youth from villages to cities, he targeted the previous dispensations, saying nobody had thought about planning and providing facilities even as urban areas continued to expand and slum clusters continued to come up because of migration.

While launching the ambitious scheme in this remote tribal area of Chhattisgarh, Modi said a "huge country" like India cannot have proper economic development unless even the remotest places are developed as growth centres and provided with urban facilities and "good life" like education, healthcare and internet while retaining the "rural spirit".

"This government is for the poor, Dalits, adhivasis, oppressed and deprived sections of the society. It is for the person standing in the last row," he said.

Listing out various schemes including Swacch Bharat and Rurban Mission, Modi said these are all aimed at bringing positive changes in the lives of the poor people. "This is the only way that will benefit the country and we have started marching on this path," he said.

Under the 'Rurban Mission', he said 300 rural centres, catering to at least four adjoining villages each, will be developed as urban clusters with modern facilities.

100 such centres are targeted to be developed this year itself, the Prime Minister said at the event which was also attended by Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Rural Development Minister Birendra Singh among others.

"There will be big change in quality of life. Pressure on cities will reduce and new cities will be developed, which will be planned and have good economic activity. I am sure crores and crores of people will benefit from this," he said.