Vibrant village scheme will help develop border villages: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], February 16 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that the vibrant village scheme of the Union government will help to develop the border villages along Indio China border in Himachal Pradesh.
While speaking to reporters here in Shimla he said that 2,962 villages of five states of the country will be developed under this scheme and Rs 4,800 crore will be spent under this scheme.
He also said that the hill state is also included in five states under this scheme and 100 per cent of government schemes will be implemented in the border areas of the state under this scheme, which will not only strengthen the infrastructure here but also improve tourism, education and road facilities.
Apart from this, the Union Cabinet has also approved seven new battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which will benefit the country and the state.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a centrally-sponsored scheme -- Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) -- for fiscal years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with a financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore.
There will be comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. According to the ministry of home affairs, 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.
The scheme will provide funds for the development of essential infrastructure and the creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks in four states and one Union Territory (UT) along the northern land border of the country which 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.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, it will leverage 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, self-help groups (SHGs), NGOs etc.
Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of gram panchayats. Fully saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured, according to the ministry.The key outcomes that have been attempted are, connectivity with all-weather road, drinking water, 24x7 electricity - solar and wind energy to be given focused attention, mobile and internet connectivity. Tourist centres, multi-purpose centres and health and wellness centres.There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme. Out of the financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore, Rs 2,500 crore will be used for roads. (ANI)