Vibrant Village Program (VVP) Scheme
- Recently the Union Cabinet has approved the Vibrant Village Program (VVP) scheme. Vibrant Village Program (VVP) is a centrally sponsored scheme.
- Through this scheme, funds will be made available for necessary infrastructure development and creation of livelihood opportunities in the villages situated on the northern land border of the country.
- Himachal Pradesh (HP), Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh have been included under the Vibrant Village Program scheme. This scheme has been approved from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
- This scheme will help in improving the quality of life of the border people and prevent migration. This will also improve border security.
Key features of the scheme-
- The district administration will prepare a vibrant village action plan with the help of gram panchayats.
- Development centers will be created based on “Hub and Spoke model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment etc.
- Out of the total financial allocation of Rs 4800 crore, Rs 2500 crore will be used for the construction of roads.
- 100% saturation of central and state schemes will be ensured. Saturation of the welfare scheme means that all the eligible beneficiaries get the prescribed facilities in the scheme.
- There will be no overlap of the scheme with the Border Area Development Program (BADP).
- The objective of BADP is to meet the developmental needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas located near the International Border.
Other decisions taken by the cabinet to promote infrastructure development on the border
- To provide all-weather connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the 1 km. The Long Shinku – La tunnel has been approved.
- Approval has been given to raise seven new battalions of the Indo-Tibetan (ITBP) Border Police Force.
- ITBP is a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, deployed along the India-China border.
Expected Results of Vibrant Village Program (VVP) Scheme:
- Development of all-weather roads will be possible in the northern border villages of the country,
- Clean drinking water will be available
- Will ensure 24×7 power supply with focus on development of solar and wind energy,
- Mobile and internet connectivity will expand,
- Development of tourism/multipurpose/health and wellness centers will be possible.
Source – Business Standard
