Jammu & Kashmir Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II: 35 IAS and JKAS Officers Deployed Across Border Areas from Kupwara to Samba
In a major administrative initiative aimed at strengthening development and governance in strategically significant border regions, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has rolled out the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II). As part of this ambitious push, 35 IAS and JKAS officers have been assigned to oversee developmental activities across villages located along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC).
The programme has been formalised through Government Order No. 834–JK(GAD) of 2026, dated April 27, 2026. Under this directive, officers have been tasked with actively monitoring and implementing the initiative during May and June 2026, reflecting the administration’s intent to accelerate last-mile delivery of governance in remote and sensitive areas.
The primary objective of VVP-II is to enhance grassroots governance, upgrade infrastructure, and improve overall socio-economic conditions in border villages. Officers will undertake extensive field visits to assess ground realities and directly interact with local residents, civil society groups, and border guarding forces. This on-ground engagement is expected to provide real-time insights into challenges faced by these communities.
A key component of the programme involves ensuring convergence between various Central and Union Territory schemes to maximise impact. Officers are also required to conduct gap analyses and prepare comprehensive Village Action Plans tailored to local needs. These plans will serve as blueprints for targeted development interventions.
To ensure smooth implementation, Deputy Commissioners across districts have been instructed to facilitate field visits and provide necessary logistical and administrative support. All government departments have been directed to extend full cooperation. The assigned officers are expected to submit detailed reports to the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department by June 30, 2026.
Several senior IAS officers have been entrusted with specific village clusters. These include Shaleen Kabra overseeing Garkhri and RakhKhanor in Akhnoor, Ashwani Kumar assigned to Jabowal Khurd and Kaku Da Kotha in Arnia, and Ashish Chandra handling Kanachak and Beli Bakavan in Marh. Similarly, Saurabh Bhagat will monitor Machil and Har During in Kupwara, while Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has been assigned villages in Rajouri. Other key assignments span districts such as Kathua, Samba, Kupwara, and Poonch, covering a wide geographical spread from Jammu to Kashmir divisions.
In addition to IAS officers, a substantial number of JKAS officers have also been deployed under the programme. These officers represent a diverse range of departments, including Floriculture, Rural Development, Tourism, Handicrafts, Labour, and Panchayati Raj, ensuring a multi-sectoral approach to development.
The large-scale deployment reflects a strategic administrative realignment aimed at improving governance outcomes in border regions that often face infrastructural gaps and unique security challenges. By combining direct field engagement with structured monitoring and inter-departmental coordination, the government seeks to bring measurable and sustainable transformation to these areas.
Officials believe that the Vibrant Villages Programme-II will not only strengthen infrastructure and service delivery but also boost confidence among border communities, reinforcing their integration into the broader development framework. The initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and national security by prioritising the welfare of citizens living in some of the most remote and sensitive parts of the country.
