₹ 4,800 Crore Funds For Development Of Villages Along Northern Border

The “Vibrant Communities Programme” (VVP), a centrally funded programme, would receive an allocation of 4,800 crore from the Union cabinet on Wednesday to ensure the complete development of villages in the northern border areas.

Anurag Thakur, the Union I&B Minister, told reporters that the meeting where the funding allocation for 2022–2023 to 2025–2026 was authorised included 2,500 crore for the development of roads infrastructure. The Central government introduced VVP last year.

In 19 districts and 46 border blocks in four states—Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh—along the country’s northern land border, the scheme, according to him, will finance the development of vital infrastructure and the creation of livelihood opportunities.

According to Thakur, the thorough development of the communities along the northern border will enhance the quality of life for those who already reside there and encourage them to remain there, reversing the out-migration and enhancing border security.

The minister clarified that those areas where development had not reached and the people of such areas had to migrate out had been given the opportunity to ensure they got employment and self-employment opportunities as the development will reach their villages on the same lines as that in other villages when asked whether the decision is linked to strengthening the security in border villages with China.

The statement added that tourist centres, multipurpose centres, and health and wellness centres will also be established. Key outcomes that have been attempted include connectivity with the all-weather road, drinking water, 24×7 electricity with solar and wind energy to be given focused attention, mobile, and internet connectivity, the statement said.

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