Establish Links With 168 Unconnected Border Villages
Context :
Amit Shah, the Union home minister, stated on Tuesday that particular efforts should be made to build connectivity with 168 border communities that are currently “unconnected”. The villages are situated in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh along the Chinese border.
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)
- The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) has received approval from the Union Cabinet for the budget years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
- The concept aims to improve the quality of life for those residing in certain border villages by developing communities in blocks along the northern border of the nation.
- The total financial allotment for the scheme is Rs. 4800 crores.
- To achieve inclusive growth and maintain the population in the border regions, it is necessary to construct vital infrastructure and create livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks throughout four states and one territory.
- The plan aims to identify and develop economic drivers based on the local natural and human resources of the border villages along the northern border, as well as to develop growth centres based on a “Hub and Spoke Model” by promoting social entrepreneurship, youth, and women’s empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging tourism potential through the promotion of local cultural, traditional knowledge, and heritage, and the development of growth centres based on a “Hub and Spoke Model.”
- With the aid of Grama Panchayats, the district administration will create dynamic Village Action Plans, ensuring complete saturation of federal and state activities.
- The plan’s objectives include providing access to all-weather roads, potable water, reliable energy, mobile and internet service, tourist attractions, multipurpose buildings, and health and wellness centres.
- The Border Area Development Programme and the project won’t conflict.
- Of the 4800 crore rupee budgeted allotment, 2500 crore rupees would be used for roads.
Points to Ponder:
- Establishing connectivity with 168 “unconnected” border villages located along the Chinese border in numerous Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh, was stressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Programme for Vibrant Villages (VVP): The VVP is a government programme designed to enhance the border communities’ overall development. To address concerns like emigration from these areas, it has been approved and started. The 2,967 settlements will be spread throughout 46 border blocks, 19 districts, four states, and one union territory near the Chinese border.
- The main goal of the Vibrant Communities Programme is to stop villagers from border communities from migrating. The programme attempts to improve the infrastructure and general living conditions in these villages by putting various proposals into practice.
- Five VVP projects: District Collectors in border districts are urged to implement at least five VVP activities to support the growth and development of border villages. These programmes comprise:
- The border communities should make an effort to draw tourists by showcasing their distinctive charms and marketing tourism-related activities.
- Promoting agriculture: Measures should be implemented to enhance agricultural productivity in these villages, promoting sustainable farming practices and giving farmers the support and tools they need.
- Promotion of local handicrafts: To empower local artisans and increase their options for income production, the programme places a strong emphasis on the growth and promotion of regional handicrafts in border villages.
- Promoting cooperatives: To promote community economic activity and help small companies, cooperative societies are encouraged to form and grow in these communities.
- The VVP supports the idea of homestays, which allow visitors to get a taste of the way of life and culture in the border communities by staying with local families. The communities’ ability to generate revenue may be helped by this endeavour.
Workshop on VVP: To debate and promote the Vibrant Villages Programme, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) organised a workshop. Officials from the state and federal administrations, as well as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force, all attended the training. The workshop aimed to bring together important stakeholders to share concepts and plans for the VVP’s effective implementation.
