State-Level Screening Committee Approves ₹232 Crore Plan for Vibrant Village Programme Phase II

Jaipur, May 2026: A meeting of the State-Level Screening Committee for the Central Sector Scheme “Vibrant Village Programme – Phase II” was held on Thursday at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary V Srinivas.

The Chief Secretary stated that priority must be given to the development of roads, drinking water, health, education, and other essential infrastructure in border areas to ensure better living conditions for residents of remote frontier villages. He also directed district collectors to strengthen engagement with border communities and promote trust-building through cultural programmes, community meetings, and awareness campaigns in international border regions.

He appreciated the efforts of district administrations for submitting proposals for digital connectivity through optical fibre cable networks. He emphasised the need for ensuring 4G telecom connectivity and television services in these areas in coordination with Doordarshan and BSNL officials.

During the meeting, Rural Development Department Secretary Krishna Kunal informed that the Vibrant Village Programme is the second major central initiative aimed at holistic development of international border areas after the Border Area Development Programme. In view of the special requirements of border regions, the state government has also launched the “Chief Minister Thar Border Area Development Programme” under the 2025–26 budget announcement, with an annual allocation of ₹150 crore for the comprehensive development of 1,206 villages across five border districts.

He added that under the Vibrant Village Programme Phase II, 184 strategically important villages across five border districts—Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Phalodi—will be developed across 10 thematic sectors. These villages will be fully saturated with all-weather roads, 4G telecom connectivity, television connectivity, and on-grid electrification.

The programme will also focus on livelihood generation, rural infrastructure, tourism and cultural development, skill development, cooperatives, self-help groups, and farmer producer organisations.

Each of the 184 strategic villages will be eligible for works up to ₹3 crore. Under the proposals received from districts, approval was granted for 515 works worth ₹232.82 crore across 123 strategic villages.

Senior officials from various departments including Public Works, Home, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Health, Education, Women and Child Development, Industry, Energy, Tourism, Skill Development, Planning, Cooperation, Animal Husbandry/Fisheries, and Agriculture participated in the meeting. Senior officials from Doordarshan, BSF, and district administrations of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Phalodi also joined via video conferencing.