Context:

• Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah launched the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme–II’ (VVP–II) from Nathanpur village in Cachar district (Barak Valley), Assam.

Key Highlights:

• Total Budget & Duration: ₹6,839 crore, up to Financial Year 2028-29
• Coverage: Development of 1,954 villages located in 334 blocks across 17 States/Union Territories
• Impact in Assam: 9 districts, 26 blocks, and 140 villages
• International Borders Covered: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar
• States Included: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal

Main Objectives:

• To develop border villages as the “First Village” of the country instead of the “last village.”
• To improve basic infrastructure (roads, electricity, telecom) and achieve 100% saturation of government schemes.
• To prevent migration from border areas and generate local employment opportunities.

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP–I):

• Traditionally, border villages were considered the “last villages,” leading to slow development and high migration.
• VVP 1.0 changed this perception by declaring them the “First Villages of the country.”

Key Objectives:

• Strengthening infrastructure along the northern border (China border).
• Preventing out-migration from border areas.
• Ensuring border security by retaining local population as “permanent sentinels.”
• Approved by Central Government: 15 February 2023, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Objective: Comprehensive development of selected villages in 46 blocks across 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Ladakh along the northern border.
• Initially, 662 villages were identified for priority development under VVP–I.
• Approval of VVP–II: 2 April 2025, as a Central Sector Scheme.
• Financial Allocation: ₹4,800 crore (including ₹2,500 crore for road construction).
• Duration: FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)