Context

The Cabinet approved the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26.

About

• The scheme was announced in the 2022-23 Budget.
• Type: Centrally sponsored scheme
• Allocation:Rs 4,800 crore
• Objective: development of villages on the northern border, thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. 
• Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of gram panchayats and 100% saturation of Central and State schemes will be ensured.
• The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks in four States and one Union Territory along the “northern land border of the country”
• In the first phase, 663 villages will be covered. In all, 2,966 villages in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are proposed to be covered.
  

Key-outcomes

• Key outcomes that have been attempted are,
  • connectivity with all-weather road, drinking water, 24x7 electricity — solar and wind energy
  • mobile and Internet connectivity
  • tourist centres
  • multi-purpose centres and health and wellness centres
• There will not be an overlap with the Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

Significance

• Inclusive growth: It will help in achieving inclusive growth.
• Retaining population and reversing migration: It would encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas, reversing the out-migration from these villages and improving the security of the border.
• Sustainable growth: It is a part of the government's efforts to promote sustainable development in rural India and build a self-reliant India