Amit Shah Reviews “Vibrant Villages Programme” for Border Areas

New Delhi, July 13, 2024 – Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi today to review the progress of the “Vibrant Villages Programme” aimed at enhancing development in border areas across India. During the meeting, Shri Shah reiterated the Government of India’s commitment, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to ensure comprehensive growth in these strategically significant villages.

Highlighting the importance of local employment and connectivity, Shri Amit Shah emphasized the need to curb migration from border villages by creating sustainable job opportunities and improving infrastructure. He called upon the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Army deployed in these areas to support local economies by promoting purchases of agricultural and handicraft products through cooperatives.

The Home Minister also stressed the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy to enhance sustainability in these remote regions. He directed senior officials to continue addressing issues faced by border villages effectively and emphasized regular high-level reviews to expedite pending matters.

Under the “Vibrant Villages Programme,” more than 6000 events have been conducted, including service delivery and awareness camps, benefiting numerous villages. Over 600 projects have been sanctioned to generate employment opportunities, underscoring the government’s proactive approach towards rural development.

A significant component of the programme includes enhancing connectivity through 113 all-weather road projects costing ₹2,420 crore and ensuring 4G connectivity across all villages by December 2024. Financial inclusion initiatives, including India Post-Payment Banks (IPPB), are also being implemented to support economic activities in these regions.

Efforts are underway to develop tourism circuits and infrastructure to promote tourism in these vibrant villages, aligning with the Ministry of Tourism’s objectives. Capacity building initiatives are being pursued to enrich local communities and attract tourists to these culturally rich areas.

Launched on February 14, 2023, with an allocation of ₹4,800 crore, the “Vibrant Villages Programme” aims to transform border villages into self-reliant and prosperous hubs.

The ongoing efforts under this ambitious scheme reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering holistic development and prosperity in India’s border regions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.