Seven Border Villages in Mizoram Selected for Vibrant Village Programme-2
In a significant development for border area development, seven villages in central Mizoram's Serchhip district, which shares a boundary with Myanmar, have been selected for coverage under the Vibrant Village Programme-2 (VVP-2). This announcement was made during a meeting of the Serchhip District Level Committee on Vibrant Village Programme-2, which was chaired by District Deputy Commissioner Paul L Khuma on Thursday.
Implementation in Selected Villages
The VVP-2 initiative will be implemented in the villages of Keitum, Mualcheng, Lungkawlh, Bawktlang, North Vanlaiphai, Leng, and Sailulak. Deputy Commissioner Khuma has urged committee members to prepare comprehensive Village Action Plans (VAP) for all these selected villages within a strict timeframe of three months. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the convergence of existing central schemes to maximize the impact of the programme.
Broader Selection and Funding Details
Officials from Mizoram's Rural Development & Administration Department revealed that a total of 109 villages across 16 rural development blocks along the Myanmar and Bangladesh border areas have been selected by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the implementation of VVP-2. This ambitious programme is being fully funded by the central government, with 100% financial support to ensure its success.
Priority Areas and Interventions
Under the Vibrant Village Programme-2, four key thematic areas will be given first priority. These include all-weather road connectivity, telecommunication infrastructure, television connectivity, and electricity supply through on-grid connectivity. Additionally, the programme will focus on ten intervention areas to ensure holistic development. These areas encompass livelihood generation, road connectivity, village infrastructure and health facilities, energization, television and telecom connectivity, promotion of tourism, culture and outreach activities, financial inclusion, empowerment of youth and skill development, cooperative development, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and educational infrastructure.
Distinction from Previous Programmes
Unlike the earlier Border Area Development Programme (BADP), which primarily concentrated on infrastructure development, VVP-2 adopts a more comprehensive approach. It prioritizes livelihood enhancement and healthcare improvements alongside infrastructure upgrades. This shift aims to not only build physical assets but also strengthen ties with people in the mainland, fostering greater integration and socio-economic progress in these remote border regions.
