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.

Why is it in the News?

The government is likely to spend over ?2 crore on each kilometre of road to be constructed along the China border in Uttarakhand and Sikkim under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), according to the project’s details.

What is the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?

• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved on 15th February 2023 for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26.

Objective:

• For comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts abutting the northern border in the States of  Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh.
• It will aid in raising the standard of living for residents of designated border communities and encouraging them to remain there, reversing the outmigration from these villages and enhancing border security.
• Action plans for identified villages would be prepared by the district administration with assistance from the proper mechanisms at the block and panchayat levels, in order to guarantee complete saturation of federal and state programmes.
• Road connectivity, drinking water, power (including solar and wind energy), mobile and internet access, tourist attractions, multipurpose facilities, healthcare infrastructure, and wellness centres are the intervention areas with the highest priority for village development.

Scheme implementation:

• Scheme implementation involves identifying and fostering economic drivers in border villages along the northern border, following a "Hub and Spoke Model" to establish growth centres.
  • This includes promoting social entrepreneurship, empowering youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging local tourism potential, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering sustainable eco-agribusinesses.
• Vibrant Village Action Plans will be developed by district administrations in collaboration with Gram Panchayats, ensuring full coverage of Central and state schemes.

Expected outcomes:

• Key outcomes that have been attempted are connectivity with all-weather roads, drinking water, 24x7 electricity – Solar and wind energy to be given focussed attention, and mobile and internet connectivity.
• Tourist centres, multi-purpose centres and health and wellness Centers.