Cabinet approves Centrally Sponsored Scheme Vibrant Villages Programme for the Financial Years 2022 23 to 2025 26 (GS Paper 1, Social Issues)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.
Mandate:
- Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
- This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.
Key Highlights:
- The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the populatiion in the border areas. In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.
- The scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging the tourism potential through promotion of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of “One village-One product” through community based organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.
- Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district adminstration with the help of Gram Panchayats. 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured.
Significance:
- Key outcomes that have been attempted are, connectivity with all weather road, drinking water, 24x7 electricty – Solar and wind energy to be given focuseed attention, mobile and internet connectivity. Tourist centers, multi-purpose centers and health and wellness Centers.
- There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme. Out of financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore 2500 crore rupees will be used for roads.
ITBP gets 7 battalions, 1 operational base for Sino-India LAC deployment
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- The government recently sanctioned hiring of 9,400 fresh troops for raising seven new border battalions apart from a new operational base for the India-China LAC guarding force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- The proposal was cleared during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Background:
- The about 90,000 personnel strong ITBP was raised in the aftermath of the 1962 Chinese aggression and it is tasked with guarding the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) on India's eastern flank.
- The force is working along with the Army at this front even as the militaries of India and China are engaged in a standoff at Ladakh from 2020.
Key Highlights:
- The fresh manpower will be utilised for manning 47 new border posts and a dozen 'staging camps' or troops bases to be created along this frontier, largely in Arunachal Pradesh. These bases were sanctioned in 2020.
- In order to ensure effective guarding of the LAC, these new bases were sanctioned and now seven battalions and a new sector headquarter comprising about 9,400 personnel have been sanctioned.
- The battalions and the sector headquarter are expected to be put in place by 2025-26.
- A non-recurring expenditure of Rs 1,808.15 crore is estimated to be spent for land acquisition, creation of office and residential buildings, and arms and ammunition while a recurring annual expenditure of Rs 963.68 crore will be done under the salaries and rations head for the fresh manpower.
Way Forward:
- The creation of 47 new border posts will lead to a 26 per cent increase in the strength of these bases while the induction of 9,400 fresh personnel will enhance its strength by 10 per cent. The force has 176 border posts at the LAC currently.
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Chile for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between India and Chile for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied sectors.
- The MoU provides for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Key Highlights:
- The main areas of cooperation envisaged are Agricultural policies for development of modern agriculture, Organic agriculture to facilitate the bilateral trade of organic products, as well as promote the exchange of policies aimed to develop organic production in both countries, Science and innovation to explore partnerships to promote innovation in the agricultural sector among Indian Institutes and Chilean institutes as well as collaborate to confront common challenges.
- Under the MoU, a Chile-India Agricultural Working Group will be constituted which will be responsible for the supervision, review and assessment of the implementation of this MoU as well as for establishing frequent communication and coordination.
- The meetings of the Agricultural Working Group will be held once a year alternatively in Chile and India.
What’s next?
- The MoU shall enter into force upon its signature and shall remain in force for a period of five years from the date of execution after which it shall be automatically renewed for a further period of 5 years.
