RAJOURI: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, a Sub-Division level awareness programme was organized under the Vibrant Village Programme-2.0 (VVP-II) at the border village Loharakote in Sunderbani Sub-Division.

The event was held under the close supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunderbani, Ramkesh Sharma and witnessed the participation of district and sectoral Officers.

The camp was attended by the residents of the identified border village Loharakote. The Vibrant Village Programme-2.0, launched by the Government of India on 2nd April 2025, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100 percent funding aimed at transforming border villages across 15 states and 2 union territories. Under this phase, 124 villages from eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been included. The initiative is a step toward achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, with a focus on making land border villages safe, secured, and vibrant.

The primary objective of the programme was to spread awareness among the residents regarding the benefits and goals of VVP-II and to sensitize them about the formulation of village action plans. These plans will focus on the saturation of central and UT-sponsored beneficiary-oriented schemes and cover thematic areas such as all-weather road connectivity, telecom and television connectivity and electrification through convergence with existing schemes.

The ADC informed that the program aims to ensure comprehensive development through gap analysis and convergence of schemes like PMGSY-IV (for road connectivity), Digital Bharat Nidhi (for telecom access), RDSS (for electrification) and BIND Scheme (for television access). He added that activities such as local fairs and festivals, awareness campaigns, celebrations of national days, regular visits of Ministers and senior officials and night stays in border villages are also envisaged under the programme to boost engagement and development.

Officers present at the event emphasized that the VVP-II aims at sustainable livelihood development through eco-agri business models and other community-driven initiatives that will empower the border populations economically and socially.

Among others who attended the programme were Program Officer ICDS Rajouri Harpal Singh, Tehsildar Sunderbani, Executive Officers of the Municipality including Ashiq Rafiq Malik, Executive Engineers of Sunderbani Sub-Division and other concerned District and Sectoral officers.