J&K Chief Secy reviews implementation of Vibrant Villages Programme-II

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo while taking a comprehensive review of the implementation strategy of Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) emphasised on the concerned to devise an effective strategy to implement it in the given timeframe.

The programme is a Centrally-funded initiative aimed at the comprehensive development of strategically important border villages. With a total budget of Rs 6,839 crore for fiscal years 2024–25 to 2028–29, the programme is a key part of the vision for Viksit Bharat @2047.

The VVP-II initiative will cover villages in 15 states and 2 Union Territories that share international land borders. In J&K, the programme will be implemented in 124 strategically selected villages across 43 blocks in eight border districts, including Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch.

The Chief Secretary took theme-wise appraisal of the gaps found in each district after carrying out the gap analysis by respective Deputy Commissioners. He enjoined upon the concerned to prepare DPRs for bridging all these gaps on priority. He directed the DCs to ascertain all these gap areas through the Nodal Officers designated for each such village.

He also advised for holding regular outreach campaigns to promote tourism in these villages. He asked for conducting regular camps, festivals and fairs in these villages in order to make them culturally vibrant. Similarly, he asked for saturating both the social security and financial inclusion schemes. He made out that the saturation of these initiatives should be a common goal.

Officials said the initiative aims to build and reinforce essential infrastructure, including all-weather roads, telecom and television connectivity and on-grid electrification. A gap analysis has been completed to identify villages needing connectivity and electrification, with plans already underway to address these needs. For instance, 41 villages are proposed to be connected under the PMGSY-IV scheme, and 220 villages are yet to be covered with telecom connectivity.

To ensure effective implementation, a comprehensive planning process is in place. This includes a baseline survey to conduct a gap assessment and village profiling, which will be followed by the preparation of detailed Village Action Plans (VAPs).

Committees have been established at both the UT and district levels to oversee the programme, ensuring proposals are technically feasible, cost-effective and aligned with the programme’s goals, the spokesperson said.