The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an allocation of Rs 4,800 crore for the Vibrant Village Program (VVP), a centrally sponsored scheme to ensure comprehensive development of villages in the northern border areas.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters that the financial allocation for 2022-23 to 2025-26 was approved in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and included Rs 2,500 crore for road infrastructure development Will be
VVP was announced by the central government last year.
He said that the scheme would provide funds for the development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks of the four states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Land border of the country.
Thakur said that comprehensive development of villages along the northern border would improve the quality of life of the people living there and encourage them to stay in their native places in these areas, thereby preventing migration and keeping the border clean. Security will improve. ,
When asked whether the decision was related to strengthening security in border villages with China, the minister clarified that it was necessary to ensure that areas where development had not taken place and people from such areas had to migrate. Opportunities have been provided to them to get employment and self-employment opportunities as development will reach their villages just like other villages.
“The Prime Minister has given priority to the development of villages, especially in the border areas and whatever steps are necessary for national security, the Modi government has taken. But, the Prime Minister has ensured that a level playing field is provided to the border areas where development had not taken place till now. PM Modi has thought about this which no one had thought till now.
He said, “There is a lot of beauty and opportunities on the border, but the lack of opportunities and development in the border areas has forced people to migrate from there. There is an opportunity to reach villages and see the beauty of villages in India.”
The minister said that all the schemes of the government should reach even the remotest villages of the border areas so that the border villages could be made alive.
“You can see it linked to national security or development of these villages, there can be different views, but these villages will develop and it is also important from the security point of view.
“We have taken several steps to ensure India’s security. Where? India Was an importer of defense equipment, now exporting under Make in India in the defense sector.
He said that India’s strength is increasing and we are taking steps to make India safe. He said that here we are talking about ensuring the development of villages by providing basic facilities and making them safe.
Thakur said the cabinet has also approved setting up of a high-level committee on VVP with specific conditions.
The Minister said that this would help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas. In the first phase, 663 villages will be covered under the programme.
“The Vibrant Village Program has been designed as a centrally-sponsored scheme and will have both the components of the centrally sponsored schemes along with 100 per cent direct funding in ten areas such as economic development, livelihood generation, road connectivity, energy, development Will be of cooperative sectors for 24X7 electricity and water, besides promoting culture and tourism,” Thakur said.
He said that existing schemes of various ministries and departments of the government would be covered under VVP and their outcomes would be defined and monitored on a continuous basis. However, there will be no overlap with the border area development programme, he said.
Thakur said that the villages would be developed as growth centers on the basis of ‘hub and spoke model’ by promoting entrepreneurship through skill development programs and empowerment of youth and women.
The scheme helps in identifying and developing economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the villages on the northern border and on the concept of one village, one product, traditional knowledge, heritage and development of sustainable eco-agri-businesses Will pay attention , They said.
He said that this would be done through the participation of community cooperative self-help groups and non-governmental organizations and agricultural societies.
Vibrant village action plans will be prepared by the district administration with the help of gram panchayats. 100% saturation of Central and State schemes will be ensured.
The key outcomes attempted are all-weather roads, potable water, 24×7 electricity with solar and wind power, focus on mobile and internet connectivity, a statement said. are concentrated. centers and health and wellness centers will also be set up.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)