Jammu, May 6 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the border village of Regal in Samba district and laid the foundation stone for several development projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
The projects include a digital library at Government Primary School Regal, a community hall-cum-recreation centre, development of an Amrit Sarovar along with a drainage channel, installation of three open gyms and solar street lights.
Addressing a public gathering, Sinha said border villages are the backbone of the country and highlighted their role in India’s history.
“These villages are no longer the last villages of India but the first villages,” he said, referring to the government’s focus on border development.
He said the administration is committed to ensuring that border residents are brought to the forefront of development.
“We are working to ensure dignity, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities for every family living in border areas,” he said.
Sinha said the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy under the Vibrant Villages Programme to improve infrastructure, connectivity and economic opportunities in border areas.
He said the programme focuses on road connectivity, telecom access, television connectivity and electrification.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to ensure that all households in border villages have access to electricity, mobile connectivity and livelihood opportunities.
He said efforts are being made to ensure that no family in border villages of Samba remains below the poverty line by 2030.
Responding to demands raised by local representatives, Sinha reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing land ownership rights to displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and West Pakistan refugees.
He said the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam will boost agricultural productivity in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor also handed over appointment orders to special police officers and sanction letters to beneficiaries under various schemes.
During his visit to the Regal border outpost, he interacted with security personnel and commended their role in guarding the borders.
Senior civil, police and army officials, along with local residents, were present on the occasion.(KNS).
