Jammu, May 6: "Our border villages are the inheritors of a rich tradition of courage and resilience. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have shifted the narrative. These are no longer the ‘last villages’ of India; they are our ‘First Villages'," Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.
Sinha was addressing a public rally during his visit to the border village of Regal in the Samba district today, where he initiated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects.
These include establishment of Digital Library at Government Primary School Regal, Construction of Community Hall cum Recreation Centre at Regal, development of Amrit Sarovar at Regal alongwith Drainage Channel, Installation of 03 Open Gyms and Installation of Solar Street Lights.
In his address, Sinha reaffirmed that the Administration is resolute to elevate the border settlements from the periphery of neglect to the forefront of national progress.
"Border villages like Regal are the backbone of India. Our glorious history was forged in the arduous paths of these border villages. We are committed to safeguarding the dignity of every border village family, ensuring that those who have faced the greatest neglect are now accorded the highest priority in the new era of Jammu Kashmir’s progress," he said.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the Government of India is implementing a comprehensive strategy under the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to integrate border populations into the national mainstream with focus on Livelihood Generation, Infrastructure and Connectivity.
He said that the programme also aims to saturate all villages in 4 thematic areas- all-weather road connectivity, telecom connectivity, television connectivity and electrification through convergence under existing scheme norms.
"Every effort is being made to ensure that the aspirations of every single citizen are fulfilled, that the development demands of border residents are met. Furthermore, by adopting a "Whole-of-Government Approach," we aim to ensure that every target set under the Vibrant Villages Programme is achieved,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials to ensure that every household in the border villages has access to electricity, mobile connectivity, and economic independence.
"We must ensure that by 2030, not a single family in the border villages of Samba remains below the poverty line," he said.
Responding the demands raised by Member of Legislative Assembly Ramgarh, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated that the administration is committed to providing land ownership rights to displaced persons from PoJK and WPRs.
He also stated that the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam would provide a massive boost to the region's agricultural productivity.
Sinha lauded Regal for becoming a TB-free village and urged continued vigilance regarding clean drinking water and the collective fight against drug abuse.
He also handed over appointment orders to SPOs and sanction letters to various youth of the village and beneficiaries under HADP, Mission Yuva and other schemes.
During his visit to the Regal Border Out Post (BoP), the Lieutenant Governor interacted with the Jawans and lauded their unwavering determination in guarding the nation’s frontiers and commended their exemplary role in Operation Sindoor.
Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Member of Legislative Assembly from Ramgarh; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Ashwani Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Anil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department; Bhim Sen Tuti; IGP Jammu; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture; Ms R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Planning and Information; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ms Ayushi Sudan Deputy Commissioner Samba; Anuj Kumar, SSP Samba, senior officials of army, police and civil administration and people in large number were present.