The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ (VVP) for financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26, with a financial allocation of Rs 4800 crore, for comprehensive development of villages on the northern border.
Briefing newspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the programme envisages improving the quality of life of people living in the identified border villages.
The programme will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in the border areas and thus reverse out-migration from the villages, while adding to improved security of the border, he said.
The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks of four States and one Union Territory along the northern border of the country.
This will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining population in the border areas. In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.
There will be no overlap with the Border Area Development Programme. Out of the financial allocation of Rs 4800 crore, an amount of Rs 2500 crore will be used for roads.
The scheme aids to identify and develop economic drivers, based on local natural human and other resources of the villages on the border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship and empowerment of youth and women.
The young men and women will be imparted skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging tourism potential through promotion of local, cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agri-businesses on the concept of ‘One village-One product’ through community based organisations, cooperatives, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and non-government organisations (NGOs).
Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by district administrations with the help of Gram Panchayats. Hundred per cent saturation of Central and State schemes will be ensured, the Minister said.
Thakur said key outcomes of the programme will be connectivity with all-weather roads, drinking water and 24×7 electricity. Solar and wind energy will be given focused attention, along with mobile and internet connectivity, tourist centers, multi-purpose centers and health and wellness Centres, he said.