‘Non-freezing diesel created for Ladakh’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today interacted with guests from the villages along China border including the Union Territory of Ladakh who have been invited for witnessing 76th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. These villages are being developed under the Central Government’s Vibrant Village Programme (VVP).
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In his address, Shah stated that after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, an inclusive and all-encompassing vision for the country’s development was introduced, aiming for progress that benefits every citizen and region.
He shared the example of Ladakh, where the freezing of diesel in winters was a major issue.
“Following the directions of Prime Minister Modi, the Government of India allocated a budget for research and development to create non-freezing diesel, which is now available in Ladakh,” the Home Minister said and emphasized that such solutions are possible only when attention is given to the challenges of these areas.
In 2017, he mentioned, a decision was taken to have all security forces, including the Army, procure milk, eggs, fish, and vegetables from border villages, creating employment opportunities in those regions.
A number of villages are being developed under the Central Government’s Vibrant Village Programme in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, the States and UTs which share boundary with China. These villages are located along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Several Union Ministers have also visited these villages and spent night there to ascertain their infrastructural development and other needs.
Shah emphasized that when the Prime Minister invites residents from “the first village” (border villages) to participate in national festivals as honoured guests, it fosters emotional connection and eliminates barriers of the hearts.
“During last four years, representatives from various villages have been invited to these celebrations, where they are treated with respect as special guests of the Prime Minister, symbolizing a transformed outlook toward the nation’s frontier villages,” he said.
Stating that the Vibrant Village Programme is a comprehensive and multi-sectoral initiative for holistic development, the Home Minister emphasized that the infrastructure, culture, tourism, livelihood, and economic growth of villages should be as vibrant as those in the rest of the country.
Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced this program on 15th February 2023 and 662 villages of 46 blocks adjoining the northern border of the country were included in it.
Shah said that the issues faced by 662 villages in the implementation of the Vibrant Village Program were reviewed, and their report was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He said that based on this report, 626 projects were formulated. Similarly, 901 employment-related projects were initiated. He said that, along with these, schemes worth Rs 556 crore were developed for agriculture, education, health, energy, cooperatives, and Khadi and Village Industries.
The Home Minister said that View Points, Adventure Tourism, Eco-Resorts and Tourist Centres have been developed from 102 projects at a cost of Rs 48 crore. He said that earlier 570 villages out of 662 did not have banks. The work of linking such villages with banks has been done by the Modi government.
Shah said that the Modi Government has provided all the basic facilities for a good life to the people living in these vibrant villages. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, a sincere effort has been made to achieve 100% saturation of Government schemes through a Bottom-to-Top approach, ensuring connectivity in physical, digital, and emotional terms.
The Home Minister told the guests from the Vibrant Villages to convey this message upon returning to their villages-that Narendra Modi, who has been chosen by them, holds deep affection for them.
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