How will Modi surround the dragon through Vibrant Villages Programme? Why is full power being thrown to strengthen the borders?

You must have often read such news that China is strengthening its infrastructure in the border areas adjacent to India, building new villages, building roads and bridges so that its army can reach the border as soon as possible if needed. But let us tell you that India is also not lagging behind in strengthening the infrastructure on the borders. If you look at the figures, you will find that in recent years, India has made maximum efforts in the world to make the borders safe. In the era of Congress, the infrastructure on the borders may not have been strengthened due to fear, but the atmosphere has completely changed under Modi rule. The borders are also more secure now than before and the speed with which infrastructure is being strengthened along the borders is empowering our security forces to retaliate immediately.

BJP’s image was made of an urban party but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not urban at all, his heart resides in villages, especially in those villages which are very close to the borders. When the Prime Minister visited Mana, the last village near the China border in Uttarakhand in October last year, he had said that the border village should be called the first village and not the last. Praising the products made in these villages, the Prime Minister has also been urging the tourists to buy locally made products whenever they go for a tour. The Prime Minister has also been calling the people of the villages situated on the border as the watchdogs of the country. Recently, in the meeting of the BJP National Working Committee, he had called upon the people of the party to spend time in the villages situated on the borders. Now the Union Cabinet has approved the “Vibrant Village Programme” for the development of the northern border areas of the strategic importance of the country, based entirely on the expenditure of the Central Government, which will not only strengthen the security of the borders, but also make the villages located on the borders The fate of the first villages and villagers of India will also change. Let us tell you that a provision of Rs 4800 crore has been made on this project. Apart from this, the government has approved the construction of the Shinkun La tunnel in Ladakh and has also approved the formation of seven new battalions and a regional headquarters of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police guarding the India-China border.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has told reporters in this regard that a proposal to this effect was approved in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He informed that the Vibrant Village Program will be implemented during the financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26. For this, a provision of Rs 4800 crore has been made, in which Rs 2500 crore will be spent on the construction of roads.

Let us tell you that this step of the government is very important keeping in view the strategic importance of the northern border of the country. This will provide assured livelihood in these border villages, which will help in preventing migration. Along with this, the security of the border areas will also be strengthened. According to the government statement, this program will strengthen livelihood opportunities and infrastructure in 19 districts and 46 border blocks of four states and one union territory. This will ensure inclusive development in the northern border region. This program will provide quality opportunities to the people living here. Apart from this, it will also help in achieving inclusive growth and maintaining population in border areas. In the first phase of this program, 663 villages will be covered.

The objective of this scheme is to identify and develop economic drivers based on local, natural and other resources in border villages of northern border and to empower youth and women through social entrepreneurship promotion, skill development and entrepreneurship. Under the “Vibrant Village Programme”, these areas will be developed to develop growth centers, strengthen tourism potential by promoting local culture, traditional knowledge and heritage and promote “One Village One Product” through community based organizations, cooperatives, NGOs. The concept will focus on the development of sustainable eco-agri business. In a statement issued by the Modi government, it has been said that the Vibrant Village Action Plan will be prepared by the district administration with the help of gram panchayats. Along with this, 100 percent completion of central and state schemes will be ensured. Under these, emphasis will be laid on the development of all-weather road, drinking water, 24-hour, solar and wind energy focused power supply, mobile and internet connectivity, tourist centre, multipurpose center and health and wellness centre. It states that it will be separate from the Border Area Development Programme.

Apart from this, another important decision taken by the Union Cabinet is that the construction of 4.1 kilometer long Shinkun La tunnel on Nimu-Padam-Darcha road link has been approved. This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to the border areas of Ladakh. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said that the construction work of the tunnel would be completed by December 2025 and it would cost Rs 1681 crore. The length of this tunnel will be 4.1 km and it will facilitate all-weather road connectivity to Ladakh. This will be the shortest route to reach the border area of ​​this union territory. This project is very important from the security point of view and it will facilitate the security forces to reach these areas.

Also, amid the ongoing tension with China, the Union Cabinet has also approved the formation of seven new battalions and a regional headquarters of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) guarding the Indo-China border. A proposal to this effect was approved in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. Let us tell you that in January 2020, the cabinet had approved setting up of 47 border posts and 12 camps of ITBP. Their work is progressing fast. Since this would require additional forces. Therefore, it has been decided to constitute seven new battalions of ITBP. An additional regional headquarters will be set up to supervise these battalions. For this, 9400 posts will be created. The government has told that this work will be completed by the year 2025-26. In this, an expenditure of Rs 1808 crore will be incurred on construction of office, residential complex etc. Along with this, about Rs 963 crore will be spent on salary, ration etc. every year.

-Neeraj Kumar Dubey