State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 07 Apr 2025

Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II)

Why in News? 

 The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) as a Central Sector Scheme for FY 2024–25 to 2028–29. 

 Key Points 

•  About the Scheme: 
  • The scheme supports the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 for ‘Safe, Secured & Vibrant Land Borders’. 
  • It focuses on the comprehensive development of villages in blocks adjoining International Land Borders (ILBs), excluding the Northern border (already covered under VVP-I). 
    • Total Outlay: Rs.6,839 crore. 
    • Implementation Period: Till FY 2028–29. 
  • States/UTs covered: 
    • Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. 
• Objective of the Scheme: 
  • To create better living conditions in strategic border villages. 
  • To provide adequate livelihood opportunities for residents. 
  • To ensure prosperous and safe international borders. 
  • To control trans-border crime in vulnerable regions. 
  • To integrate border populations with the national mainstream. 
  • To enable villagers to serve as ‘eyes and ears’ of border guarding forces, enhancing internal security. 
• Key Provisions under VVP-II: 
  • Infrastructure development in individual villages or village clusters. 
  • Value chain development through cooperatives, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), etc. 
  • Border-specific outreach activities to engage and empower local communities. 
  • Establishment of education infrastructure, including SMART classes. 
  • Development of tourism circuits to boost local economy and cultural visibility. 
  • Implementation of projects for diverse and sustainable livelihood opportunities in border areas. 
• Implementation Approach: 
  • Village Action Plans: Developed collaboratively, customized to state, village, and border-specific needs 
  • Road Connectivity: Via PMGSY-IV (under Ministry of Rural Development) 
  • High-Powered Committee (chaired by Cabinet Secretary): To allow relaxations in implementation guidelines 
• Saturation Focus (Thematic Areas) 
  • The programme aims to ensure that all individuals and households in the selected villages receive the full benefits of existing welfare schemes, by bringing different schemes together.  
  • It also plans to fully cover all villages in these areas with four basic services: 

1. All-weather road connectivity 
2. Telecom connectivity 
3. Television connectivity 
4. Electrification 

• Use of Technology 
  • Implementation supported by digital tools like PM Gati Shakti platform for integrated planning and tracking