Cabinet Approves Vibrant Villages Programme Phase-II

Context:

On April 4, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved Phase-II of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II) a fully centrally funded scheme aimed at the comprehensive development of strategic villages along India’s international land borders (ILBs).

Key Features of VVP-II

• Total Budget: ₹6,839 crore
• Funding Structure: 100% Central Government funding
• Implementation Period: 2025–26 to 2028–29
• Scope: Covers border villages outside the northern borders (already addressed in VVP-I)

Strategic Objectives

• Improve living conditions and livelihood opportunities in remote border areas
• Ensure secure and prosperous borders
• Integrate border populations into the national mainstream
• Enable border residents to serve as the “eyes and ears” of the border guarding forces
• Help reduce trans-border crime

States and UTs Covered

VVP-II targets key border-facing villages across the following 17 states and union territories:

• Northern & Northeastern India:
  • Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand
• Western & Eastern India:
  • Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

National Significance

VVP-II forms a vital component of India’s internal security strategy and long-term development vision for strategic, often underserved, border communities.

The Indian Express