In News:

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) at Nathanpur village in Cachar district of Assam, marking an expansion of the government’s border area development strategy in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

About Vibrant Villages Programme–II

• Type of Scheme: Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union Government)
• Total Outlay: ?6,839 crore
• Implementation Period: Up to FY 2028–29
• Approach: Saturation-based and convergence-driven
• Coverage: 15 States and 2 Union Territories
• Exclusion: Northern border villages already covered under VVP–I

Objectives

• Comprehensive Development: Improve living standards in border villages through infrastructure and service delivery.
• Livelihood Generation: Create sustainable and diversified livelihood opportunities.
• Border Security Strengthening: Enable residents to act as the “eyes and ears” of the nation.
• Prevention of Trans-border Crimes: Strengthen vigilance and community participation.
• National Integration: Assimilate border populations into the mainstream national framework.

Key Features

1. Infrastructure Development

• Education infrastructure including SMART classrooms
• Development of tourism circuits
• Village-level infrastructure in clusters
• Improved access to essential services

2. Livelihood & Value Chain Development

• Promotion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Strengthening cooperatives
• Focus on value chain development in agriculture and allied sectors
• Diversification of income sources in border areas

3. Social & Cultural Vibrancy

• Organisation of fairs and festivals
• Celebration of National Days
• Awareness campaigns
• Community mobilisation initiatives

These efforts aim to enhance the “vibrancy” of villages, reduce migration, and foster a sense of belonging.

Strategic Significance

• Internal Security: Strengthened community participation improves intelligence gathering and vigilance.
• Border Management: Acts as a socio-economic complement to physical border infrastructure.
• Balanced Regional Development: Reduces regional disparities.
• Vision 2047 Alignment: Supports the broader goal of building a developed and secure India by 2047.

Saturation-Based & Convergence Approach

• Saturation-based: Ensures all eligible beneficiaries and villages receive full scheme benefits.
• Convergence-driven: Integrates multiple Central and State schemes for optimal resource utilization.