NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the new 'Vibrant Communities' programme on Tuesday to promote and strengthen connectivity in border areas in response to Chinese territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh and villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The decision was made in response to Chinese'model towns' near the Line of Action Contol.

"Border communities with a small population, poor connectivity, and inadequate infrastructure are frequently left out of development gains. The new Vibrant Villages Programme will encompass such villages on the northern border "In her Budget speech, Sitharaman remarked.

She went on to say that the programme would focus on activities such as village infrastructure, concrete houses, tourist centres, better and accessible road connectivity, renewable energy, government-owned Doordarshan DTH services, and other educational channels, as well as the creation of more livelihood.

Under the 'Border Area Development Programme,' the Ministry of Home Affairs also provides financial assistance to border states. The previous projects will now be merged, and the government will keep track of their progress on a regular basis. The MHA's border management budget has grown by over 43%, from Rs 1,921.39 crore this fiscal year to Rs 2,517.02 crore in 2022-23.

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