Commissioner Secretary R Alice Vaz Reviews Vibrant Village Programme Progress in Kathua Border Areas
KATHUA, MAY 15, 2026 :- Commissioner Secretary for Information, Planning, Development, and Monitoring, R Alice Vaz, visited Bobiya village today to review the implementation of the Vibrant Village Programme-II in the border villages of Bobiya and Gajnal.
During a public outreach camp, she interacted with local stakeholders to gain a firsthand appraisal of the developmental needs and aspirations of residents living near the International Border.
The Commissioner Secretary highlighted that the primary objective of the programme is to ensure holistic and sustainable development by bridging infrastructure gaps in connectivity, health, education, and digital access.
She emphasized the importance of achieving full saturation of centrally and state-sponsored schemes, with a particular focus on the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and Mission YUVA to maximize benefits for the border population.
During the visit, Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, briefed the Commissioner Secretary on the extensive planning exercise conducted for six villages near the zero line, including Bobiya, Gajnal, Rathua, Karol Krishna, Kadyala, and Gujar Chak.
He noted that the draft development plans were formulated through inclusive and participatory sessions with local inhabitants to reflect their specific requirements. R Alice Vaz also convened a meeting with sectoral officers to identify existing gaps in services provided by departments such as agriculture, social welfare, and rural development.
She called for the organization of frequent awareness camps and skill development opportunities to ensure that welfare initiatives effectively reach eligible beneficiaries in these strategic remote areas.