BY-GURDEEP KAUR
Table of Contents
The Union Cabinet gives a nod to the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Vibrant Villages Programme ” (VVP). The Cabinet chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has decided to allocate Rs.4800 Crore towards this scheme for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
This scheme will ensure extensive and inclusive development of villages along the northern border area. The initiative for this program was made in the budget of 2021-22 but back then no concrete plan or allocation was done in this arena. Along with this the Cabinet also approved the construction of the Shinku La Tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity in Ladakh.
source-Hindustan Times
Shinku La Tunnel Connectivity
(Through Vibrant Village Programme)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VIBRANT VILLAGE TOURISM PROGRAMME SCHEME
The development structure under this scheme will focus more on the development of essential infrastructure and the creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks,4 States and 1 UT touching the northern border of the country. The scheme with the help of BSF in these areas will attempt to generate solar and wind energy, make drinking water available 24×7, enhance mobile connectivity, availability of internet connectivity, tourist centres, health and wellness centres etc.
Out of the allocated Rs.4800 Crore, 2500 Crore would be used for constructing roads and improving connectivity to the remote areas.
In light of the announcements made by Union Minister Anurag Thakur, the first phase of the programme would be covering an estimated 662 villages. In these villages, the main arena of focus would be concentrated on creating job opportunities and encouraging sustainable economic activities.
Home Minister on village tourism
Home Minister also highlighted that this scheme will help in reversing the outmigration from these villages and will encourage people to stay in their native border areas thus improving the security of the border.
Source- The Economic Times
With the idea of bolstering the social and security framework along the bordering areas, the scheme aims at identifying and developing the economic drivers on local natural human resources and development of growth centres on the “HUB AND SPOKE MODEL”. This would be done by encouraging entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women, encouraging tourism, and promotion of local culture, tradition, heritage and traditional knowledge.
By encouraging the concept of “One Village- One Product”, sustainable eco-agribusiness can be developed focusing on community-based organizations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc. The plan for these projects would be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats.This scheme will ensure extensive and inclusive development of villages along the northern border area.
HUB AND SPOKE MODEL ON VILLAGE TOURISM
The Hub and Spoke Model which is believed to be the model of the future emerged during the pandemic years. With most modern companies drifting towards this model with only one central office hub and smaller spoke or satellite offices,the Modi Government has resorted to this model. This model not only provides flexibility to the workforce but also helps in increasing productivity and efficiency. It helps in reducing the logistical cost but also speeds up the delivery of raw materials and other materials required in the process.
Governments adopting this model in such elaborate programs will not only help in reducing the time consumed to perform various tasks but will also aid in the digitalization of the process and thus will help in reducing the cost. The government in 2022 has already seen success using this model in Public Private Partnership mode with a view to modernizing the storage of food grains and to ramp-up their storage. This scheme will ensure extensive and inclusive development of villages along the northern border area. The Cabinet chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has decided to allocate Rs.4800 Crore towards this scheme for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
