Vibrant Villages Programme, A Centrally Sponsored Scheme was Approved by Cabinet

Vibrant Villages Program: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model”. Vibrant Villages Program (VVP) is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- Various government schemes and Initiatives for the development of different sectors in the country; GS Paper 3- Ensuring Internal Security- Border Security, Creating Border Infrastructure).

Vibrant Villages Program in News

Recently, the Union Home Minister launched the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ in Kibithoo, Arunachal Pradesh. Kibithoo is a border village in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Vibrant Villages Program

The Vibrant Villages scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country.

• Background: In response to China’s increasing presence, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Vibrant Villages project during her budget speech in 2022.
  • As a result, the Cabinet approved the program for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26, allocating Rs 4,800 crore towards the initiative.

• Mandate: Vibrant Villages Program will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas.
  • In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.
• Scope: Vibrant Villages Program will be implemented in 2,967 villages in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country.
  • State of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, and the UT of Ladakh will come under the purview of the Vibrant Villages Program Initiative.

• Funding: Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was approved with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.
  • Out of financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore 2500 crore rupees will be used for roads.

• Focus Areas: As per the programme, the focus areas would be-
  • Improving road connectivity,
  • Providing drinking water, electricity, mobile and internet connectivity,
  • Building tourist centres, multi-purpose centres, healthcare infrastructure, and wellness centres.

• Significance: the Vibrant Villages scheme will result in Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
  • This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.

Vibrant Villages Program Features

The Vibrant Villages scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model”. This to be done through-

• Promotion of social entrepreneurship,
• Empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship,
• Leveraging the tourism potential through promotion of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and
• Development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of “One village-One product” through community based organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

Vibrant Villages scheme Implementation

Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats. 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured.

• Key outcomes that have been attempted are, connectivity with all-weather road, drinking water, 24×7 electricity – Solar and wind energy to be given focused attention, mobile and internet connectivity.
• Tourist centers, multi-purpose centers and health and wellness Centers.
• There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme.

• In the first phase of this project, which is three-years-long, 662 villages will be developed. Of them, 455 are in Arunachal Pradesh.

Vibrant Villages scheme, Expected Outcomes

The implementation of the Vibrant Villages project is anticipated to improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of border communities, motivating them to stay put and reversing the trend of migration from villages. This, in turn, is expected to bolster border security.

• Additionally, under the Vibrant Villages initiative, activities such as beekeeping, enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting local handicrafts and products, and facilitating their access to markets will receive a significant boost.
• While the program may seem harmless, it serves as an effective strategy to counter China’s expansionist agenda in the Northeast region.

About Kibithu Village in Arunachal Pradesh

Kibithu is a secluded village is situated at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level and positioned near the border of India and China.

• Being the easternmost village of India, it serves as an entrance to Arunachal Pradesh, known as the Land of the Rising Sun.
• Unfortunately, the village suffers from a lack of fundamental necessities such as electricity, proper roads, and healthcare facilities, causing inconvenience to the inhabitants to avail essential services.

PMGDISHA Scheme- Steps Taken to ensure Village Connectivity

PMGDISHA Scheme- Steps Taken to ensure Village Connectivity

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