Jammu Tawi, Apr 1: Asserting that border residents are the first priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that residents of frontier villages need to be honoured by ensuring a dignified and quality life for all.
Speaking at a public event, organised under the Phase-II of Vibrant Villages Programme, at the vibrant border village of Makwal here, LG Sinha said, “More than decade ago, border villages were routinely neglected. That time is over. Under the leadership of PM Modi, whether it is Jammu Kashmir or the border villages of the North-East, the distance from Delhi has shrunk in a real sense.”
He said, “Border villages are India’s first line of defence, and the residents are the first face of India that any outsider sees. Border residents are not only first in courage, sacrifice, and patience but you also stand first in the priorities of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji.”
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the residents of border village are serving the nation every single day. That service must not be honoured only in words, but reflected clearly in the quality of life of every family, he said.
LG Sinha directed the officials to ensure that no family is left out and no genuine need go unnoticed. “Where existing schemes fall short in Makwal and other border villages, solutions must be created on priority, because for me, the development of border villages is a sentiment, a resolve, and a responsibility,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said there must be no gap between what the government promises and what people actually receive.
The Lieutenant Governor directed that all government officials must remove obstacles and ensure that Makwal and all other border villages receive every required resource. He further directed for dedicated Nodal officers for border villages and submission of monthly progress report of the villages under Vibrant Villages programme.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his resolve to ensure every border village is connected with better roads, fully functional schools, and abundant opportunities for the youth. With this mindset, we must work together to transform all our border villages into model villages, he said.
“What is needed today is the right direction for that talent. We must strengthen youth entrepreneurship and women’s self-help groups so that our youth, mothers and sisters are not only the backbone of their own families but also drivers of social and economic progress across the region
Our aim is to make Makwal and other border villages such model villages that young people can see their future here instead of migrating to the cities. For this, all stakeholders must come together to promote entrepreneurship and provide our youth with training, financial support, and consistent mentoring,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Responding to the demands, the Lieutenant Governor assured that appropriate action will be taken to address the issues of the residents of Makwal.
On land ownership rights of POJK Displaced persons, Lieutenant Governor said that the directions in this regard issued in 2024 are under implementation. He entrusted upon the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to ensure their timely implementation.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor initiated various development works through Own Sources of Revenue (OSR). These include: Model Anganwadi Centre, Synthetic Volleyball and Badminton Court, Community Hall with provisions of Library and Computer Lab, Health Sub-Centre at Makwal and Veterinary Dispensary at Sohajana.
The Lieutenant Governor handed over handheld X-Ray Machine to the health department, and also felicitated TB Warrior, progressive farmers and land donor for establishment of Model Anganwadi Centre.
Appointment orders and Sanction letters were also handed over to various youth of the village and beneficiaries under Mission Yuva and other different schemes.
