Kathua Border Villages Added to Vibrant Village Programme-II

The Central Government has included six border villages in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district under the Vibrant Village Programme-II to improve infrastructure and ensure full delivery of welfare schemes. These villages are located along the International Border and hold strategic importance for border security as well as rural development. The move aims to strengthen connectivity, public services, and socio-economic opportunities for residents living in sensitive frontier areas.

Six Villages Selected Under the Scheme

The villages identified under the programme are Bobiya, Kadyala, Gajnal, Karol Krishna, Rathua, and Gujjar Chak. These villages lie close to the International Border and often face development challenges due to their remote location and security concerns. Their inclusion under the scheme is expected to improve access to roads, healthcare, education, electricity, and drinking water facilities.

Meeting Led by Kathua Deputy Commissioner

The selection of these villages was finalised during a review meeting chaired by Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma. He directed officials to ensure timely implementation of development plans through regular monitoring and better coordination among departments. He stressed that infrastructure projects and welfare measures should be completed without delay to achieve visible improvement on the ground.

Focus on Last-Mile Delivery of Welfare Schemes

The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted the need for community participation in the implementation process. Departments were asked to conduct field-level verification, identify service gaps, and ensure last-mile delivery of all flagship government schemes. The objective is to achieve full saturation of welfare benefits so that no eligible household is left out of social security, housing, or livelihood support programmes.

Important Facts for Exams

• Vibrant Village Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at developing border villages in strategic areas.
• The scheme focuses on improving road connectivity, housing, tourism, and livelihood opportunities in remote border regions.
• Kathua district is located in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir and shares part of the International Border with Pakistan.
• International Border areas are different from the Line of Control and are managed with stronger civilian settlement support.

Strategic Importance of Vibrant Village Programme-II

The inclusion of these villages under Vibrant Village Programme-II reflects the government’s focus on border area development as part of national security planning. Better infrastructure and stronger public services help reduce migration from border regions and encourage stable local populations. This supports both defence preparedness and inclusive rural development by ensuring that people living in frontier areas receive equal opportunities and stronger state support.