Jammu Kashmir : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district and stressed that frontier villages should be viewed as the first villages of India and the frontline of the country’s identity, rather than as settlements located at the nation’s edge.

Karol Krishna, along with Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya and Kadiyala, is covered under the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-2). During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor distributed benefits under various government schemes among local families and handed over appointment letters to young beneficiaries.

Addressing residents from the six strategic border villages, Sinha said the government has changed the approach towards frontier areas, bringing them into the mainstream of development. He said that for decades, border settlements remained distant from governance priorities, but infrastructure and livelihood development have gained momentum in recent years.
He said the development story of the country should also begin from villages such as Karol Krishna, Rathua, Gajnal, Bobiya, Kadiyala and Gujjar Chak, where residents have continued to live and contribute despite the challenges associated with their proximity to the international border.

Highlighting the progress made in Kathua’s border areas, Sinha said all 216 border villages in the district have been connected by roads and fully electrified. He added that telecommunication and television connectivity, which was earlier limited, has now reached households in these villages.

The Lieutenant Governor also cited improvements in socio economic indicators, saying poverty has declined, migration to cities has been reduced by half and rural incomes have increased by around 30 per cent. He further stated that employment opportunities have expanded and unemployment has fallen to nearly half of its earlier level.
For the protection of border residents, more than 2,000 individual and community bunkers have been constructed, Sinha said, adding that the ultimate objective should be to ensure that every family rises above the poverty line.

He also highlighted the contribution of women to the rural economy. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, more than 1,300 self-help groups have been established, benefiting over 12,000 families.

Women are undertaking activities including tailoring, embroidery, handicrafts and other small businesses, helping strengthen household incomes and local economies.

Sinha said government schools in border areas have also witnessed improvements, including better infrastructure, digital classrooms and vocational education.

He encouraged young people from these villages to pursue opportunities in agriculture, tourism, defence-related services and traditional crafts.
The Lieutenant Governor identified four major priorities for border-village development: linking villages with markets to promote self reliance, expanding employment opportunities for youth, strengthening healthcare and telemedicine facilities, and further improving security infrastructure.

He said development and security must move together, stressing that a secure village can become prosperous and prosperous villages can contribute to a self-reliant India.

Sinha also called upon young people and families in the border villages to play a greater role in shaping their future. He assured residents that any remaining gaps in development would be addressed and said the Vibrant Villages Programme would continue to focus not only on infrastructure but also on livelihoods, security and improving the quality of life.
During his visit to the Karol Krishna Border Out Post, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with BSF personnel and appreciated their dedication to protecting the country’s borders.

He also acknowledged their role during Operation Sindoor and stressed the importance of maintaining constant vigilance against hostile activities.

Sinha further assured local residents that their issues and demands would be taken up for appropriate and timely resolution.

Hiranagar MLA Vijay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary Power Development Department Ashwani Kumar, Jammu IGP Bhim Sen Tuti, IG BSF Asif Jalal and several senior civil and police officials were present during the visit.

Report By – Mudasir Maqbool