Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that border villages are the backbone of India and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transforming them into hubs of growth, connectivity and opportunity under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Addressing a public rally during his visit to Regal village in Samba district, the Lieutenant Governor said that the border settlements of Jammu and Kashmir are no longer the “last villages” of the country but have now become India’s “First Villages” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Border villages like Regal are the backbone of India. Our glorious history was forged in the arduous paths of these border villages,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
During the visit, LG Sinha inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several developmental projects including a Digital Library at Government Primary School Regal, Community Hall-cum-Recreation Centre, development of Amrit Sarovar with drainage channel, installation of three open gyms and solar street lights.
He stated that the administration is determined to ensure dignity and equal opportunities for every family living in border areas, especially those who suffered neglect in previous decades.
“We are committed to safeguarding the dignity of every border village family and ensuring that those who faced neglect in the past are now given the highest priority in Jammu and Kashmir’s new era of progress,” he added.
Highlighting the Government of India’s Vibrant Villages Programme, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative focuses on livelihood generation, infrastructure development and better connectivity in border regions. He said the programme aims to ensure all-weather road connectivity, telecom access, television connectivity and electrification in every village.
LG Sinha directed officials to ensure that every household in border villages receives electricity, mobile connectivity and economic support, while setting a target that no family in Samba’s border villages should remain below the poverty line by 2030.
Responding to demands raised by Ramgarh MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing land ownership rights to displaced persons from PoJK and West Pakistan Refugees.
He also said the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam project would significantly boost agricultural productivity in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor praised Regal village for becoming TB-free and urged people to remain vigilant about clean drinking water and continue the fight against drug abuse.
During the programme, appointment orders were handed over to SPOs while sanction letters were distributed among beneficiaries under HADP, Mission Yuva and other welfare schemes.
Later, LG Sinha visited the Regal Border Out Post (BoP) where he interacted with jawans and commended their dedication in safeguarding the nation’s borders, while also appreciating their role in Operation Sindoor.
