SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired the maiden meeting of the Union Territory Level Screening Committee (UTLSC) under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), reviewing a comprehensive development plan for border villages across Jammu and Kashmir with an emphasis on convergence-based and sustainable growth.
The meeting, convened by the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department (PD&MD), was attended by Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts.
Reviewing district-wise proposals, the Chief Secretary assessed projects planned for identified border villages spread across eight districts of the Union Territory. He directed all departments to implement the programme in mission mode, ensuring effective convergence of government schemes and optimal use of resources to improve the quality of life in remote border areas.
Dulloo said the Vibrant Villages Programme provides an opportunity to transform the socio-economic landscape of strategically important border villages through integrated planning and timely execution of development works. He stressed close coordination between departments and district administrations to ensure that the benefits of Central and UT government schemes reach the intended beneficiaries without delay.
Commissioner Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, R. Alice Vaz, outlined the objectives of the programme, saying it aims to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities through tourism promotion, preservation of cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, cooperative development, agriculture, horticulture and cultivation of medicinal plants.
She said the programme also focuses on strengthening basic infrastructure by improving road connectivity, housing, village infrastructure, energy access, renewable energy, and television and telecom connectivity. These interventions, she added, are intended to create economic opportunities and improve living standards in border villages, helping to discourage migration from these areas.
Presenting the district-wise development plan, PD&MD Nodal Officer for the Vibrant Villages Programme, Owais Ahmad, informed the committee that district administrations have prepared a comprehensive portfolio of projects aligned with the programme’s objectives.
According to the presentation, 83 projects have been proposed for Baramulla, 57 for Bandipora, 526 for Jammu, 117 for Kathua, 195 for Poonch, 92 for Rajouri and 121 for Samba district, covering infrastructure development, livelihood generation and public service delivery. The meeting also reviewed proposals for the eighth identified district under the programme.
The committee was informed that under PMGSY-IV, road connectivity is proposed for 24 currently unconnected villages covered under the programme.
Officials further informed the meeting that 8,513 households are proposed to receive on-grid electricity connections, while 16,702 households will be provided Direct-to-Home (DTH) television connectivity through set-top boxes, improving access to information, education and entertainment in remote border areas.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed all departments and district administrations to ensure meticulous planning, effective inter-departmental coordination and timely execution of approved projects so that the objectives of the Vibrant Villages Programme are achieved and border villages emerge as economically vibrant, socially resilient and better connected with the mainstream.
