What is Vibrant Villages Programme?

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Vibrant Villages Programme?

Why in news?

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to launch the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in Kibithoo, a village along the border with China.

What is Vibrant Villages Programme?

• Background:
  • Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was announced in the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech 2022.
  • The programme envisages coverage of border villages on Northern border having sparse population, limited connectivity and infrastructure, which often get left out from the development gains.
• Coverage
  • The Centrally sponsored village scheme will cover the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh.
• Aims
  • To ensure comprehensive development of these villages thereby improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
  • To encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas, reversing outmigration from these regions and contributing to improved border security.
• Implementation
  • The programme will provide funding for the development of vital infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts, 46 border blocks, four states, and one UT.
  • It will cover 2,963 villages with 663 villages will be included in the first phase.
  • The programme assists in identifying and developing the economic drivers based on local human and natural resources of these border villages
  • Key outcomes that have been attempted are: all-weather road, drinking water, 24×7 electricity – solar and wind energy, along with mobile and internet connectivity,” 
  • With respect to tourism, regular field trips will be held for students as part of a Seema Darshan programme.
• The focus areas of interventions
  • The focus areas of interventions identified for the development of villages include: 
    • Road connectivity, drinking water, electricity including solar and wind energy; 
    • Mobile and internet connectivity, tourist centres, multi-purpose centres and healthcare infrastructure and wellness centres.
• Institutions involved
  • Gram Panchayats will assist the district administration in developing vibrant village action plans.
  • Through this 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured.
• No overlap with Border Area Development Program
  • The government has stated that VVP will not have an overlap with Border Area Development Program (BADP).
    • The Department of Border Management, MHA has been implementing the BADP through the State Governments/ UT Administrations as part of a comprehensive approach to Border Management.
    • It covers 460 border blocks of 117 border districts in 16 States and 2 UTs
    • The programme aims to meet the special development needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas (within 0-10 km) situated near the international border.
    • It also aims to saturate the border areas with the essential infrastructure.

Q1) What is Border Area Development Program (BADP)?

The BADP aims to meet the special development needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border. It also aims to saturate the border areas with the essential infrastructure.

Q2) Where is Arunachal Pradesh geographically located?

Arunachal Pradesh is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, Myanmar to the east, Bhutan to the west, and China to the north. The state is situated in the eastern Himalayas and is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and diverse cultures.

Source: Shah to launch special programme in village along China border |  PIB | MHA