SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, during a detailed review of the implementation strategy for the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), stressed the need for an effective and time-bound execution plan.
VVP-II is a centrally funded initiative aimed at the holistic development of strategically important border villages, with a total budget of Rs 6,839 crore for FY 2024–25 to 2028–29. The program forms a key part of the vision for Viksit Bharat @2047.
The review meeting was attended by ACS Planning, MD KPDCL, representatives from the R&B Department and BSNL, along with Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts via video conferencing.
The program will cover villages in 15 states and 2 Union Territories along international land borders. In J&K, 124 strategically selected villages across 43 blocks in eight border districts—Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch—have been earmarked for development.
The Chief Secretary reviewed district-wise gap analyses conducted by Deputy Commissioners and urged the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to address identified gaps. He directed DCs to work closely with Nodal Officers for each village and emphasized leveraging existing schemes for infrastructure and development: RDSS for electricity, PMGSY for roads, NRLM, Mission YUVA, HADP, KCC, PMEGP, REGP for livelihoods, PM-SHRI for education, and telemedicine for health services.
He also advocated regular outreach campaigns to boost tourism and cultural vibrancy through festivals, fairs, and camps. Social security and financial inclusion schemes should be fully saturated, he added, highlighting these as common objectives.
ACS Planning, Ashish Chander Verma, elaborated on a three-pronged strategy for comprehensive development, focusing on improving living conditions and expanding livelihood opportunities in border villages. The program aims to ensure effective delivery of Central and UT schemes across 1,421 villages in border blocks, with emphasis on four thematic areas: livelihood, health, education, and financial inclusion.
VVP-II will also strengthen essential infrastructure, including all-weather roads, telecom and television connectivity, and on-grid electrification. Gap analysis has identified 41 villages to be connected under PMGSY-IV and 220 villages lacking telecom connectivity, with measures underway to address these gaps.
The program will further promote livelihoods through tourism, cultural events, awareness campaigns, and medical and veterinary camps. Comprehensive planning, including baseline surveys, village profiling, and preparation of Village Action Plans (VAPs), will guide implementation. UT- and district-level committees have been established to ensure proposals are technically feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with program objectives.
