Reverse Migration: The Impact of Vibrant Villages Programme

The Indian government introduced the Vibrant Villages Programme to boost development in border districts, encouraging migration back to villages. While no formal impact assessment has been conducted, the Arunachal Pradesh government reports increased re-population in certain districts.

The Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at reversing migration, has begun to show results in some of Arunachal Pradesh's border districts, officials announced. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, confirmed that residents are returning, though no formal assessment has been made.

Approved in February 2023 as a Centrally sponsored initiative, VVP-I targets selected villages for comprehensive development, especially in states along India's northern border. Expansions of the programme have seen its scope extend beyond these initial regions.

With significant funding and thousands of projects undertaken, the programme aims to retain villagers by improving local development, albeit without documented assessments of its outcomes on migration, entrepreneurship, or innovation.

(With inputs from agencies.)