Securing India's Borders: Govt Approves Rs 4,800 Crore Scheme For Holistic Development Of Border Villages

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme called the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) for comprehensive development of border villages.

The scheme has been approved for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26. with financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore.

The programme is designed to improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.

The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in in 19 districts and 46 border blocks across 4 states and 1 union territory along the northern land border of India.

According to a government release, the scheme will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.

The scheme aims to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on northern border.

It will also aim for development of growth centres in villages on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging the tourism potential through promotioon of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of “One village-One product” through community based organisations, cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

The Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration in collaboration with Gram Panchayats to ensure 100 per cent saturation of Central and state schemes, including connectivity with all weather roads, 24x7 electricity, and healthcare centres.

The scheme will not overlap with Border Area Development Programme.

The programme will lay special emphasis on road connectivity as Rs 2,500 crore out of the financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore will be used for roads.