The central government has included 92 villages in Meghalaya in the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme, which is aimed at ensuring comprehensive development in India’s border areas.
This was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today on the second day of her visit to Meghalaya.
Speaking to reporters, Sitharaman highlighted that the first phase of the scheme had primarily focused on villages located along India’s western border, especially those close to Pakistan. However, Phase 2 now targets border villages adjoining Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and Nepal.
“Prime Minister Modi does not refer to them (border villages) as the ‘last villages’ but rather as the ‘first villages’ – the first point of entry into India. These villages are being developed with complete saturation – good roads, drinking water, schools, healthcare facilities, houses, toilets, skill development centres and even banking access,” she said.
“Tomorrow I will be visiting some of these villages (in Meghalaya) along the Bangladesh border. These are no longer remote outposts, they are now being seen as integral entry points of the nation,” Sitharaman added while stating that implementation of the programme is being undertaken after villagers give their inputs on what is needed in their areas.
