Is Rs 6,839 crore the key to reviving border villages?
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Synopsis
The Central government is taking a significant step to revitalize border villages with the approval of Rs 6,839 crore under the Vibrant Villages Programme-II. This initiative aims to improve livelihood, connectivity, and infrastructure, ensuring that residents remain in these strategically important areas.
Key Takeaways
- Investment of Rs 6,839 crore for border village development.
- Focus on livelihood generation through tourism and agriculture.
- Improvement of infrastructure including roads, education, and health facilities.
- Targeted states include Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and others.
- Encouragement of residents to stay in strategic locations.
New Delhi, Aug 19 (NationPress) In an effort to motivate residents to remain in strategically important border villages, the Central government has greenlit the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) on April 2, establishing it as a Central Sector Scheme with a total allocation of Rs 6,839 crore until the Financial Year 2028-29, as reported to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The aim of this initiative is to provide adequate incentives for people to remain in the chosen villages, stated Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, responding to an inquiry.
The funds are designated for the comprehensive development of villages situated in blocks adjacent to international land borders (ILB), excluding the Northern border already addressed under VVP-I, across the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
This program outlines targeted areas for intervention in the selected villages, focusing on generating livelihood opportunities through the promotion of tourism and cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, and the establishment of cooperative societies encompassing agriculture/horticulture and the cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs, as noted by the MoS.
The interventions also aim to enhance road connectivity to previously unconnected villages, as well as improve village infrastructures, health and education facilities, energy sources including renewable energy, and telecommunications services.
The government previously approved the Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on February 15, 2023, aimed at the comprehensive development of selected villages in 46 blocks adjacent to the northern border across 19 districts in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the UT of Ladakh.
Initially, a total of 662 border villages have been prioritized for comprehensive development under this program. The distribution of villages by state is as follows: Arunachal Pradesh-455, Himachal Pradesh-75, Sikkim-46, Uttarakhand-51, and Ladakh (UT)-35.
The program is designed to focus on creating opportunities for livelihood generation through tourism promotion, cultural heritage, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship, and cooperative society development, including agriculture/horticulture and the cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs.
Point of View
Which are vital for national security and cultural heritage. This initiative can provide much-needed support to local communities, but its success will depend on effective implementation and genuine engagement with residents.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Villages Programme-II?
The Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) is a Central Sector Scheme approved by the government to promote development in border villages, with an investment of Rs 6,839 crore by the Financial Year 2028-29.
How much funding has been allocated to this program?
The program has a total funding of Rs 6,839 crore aimed at developing strategic border villages.
Which states are involved in this initiative?
The program focuses on states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
What are the main objectives of VVP-II?
The primary objectives include enhancing livelihood opportunities, improving connectivity, and developing infrastructure in selected border villages.
What types of development will be supported?
The program will support tourism, cultural heritage, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, and telecommunications developments.
