KOLKATA: Malda has become the first district in Bengal to adopt Village Action Plans (VAPs) for villages along the India-Bangladesh border, with the district administration launching an inclusive development initiative aimed at ensuring that every eligible household receives the benefits of government welfare schemes at its doorstep.The initiative, “Amar Gram Amar Kalpana”, has been conceived by the Malda district administration to strengthen people’s participation in planning and development while advancing the Centre’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The programme reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of treating border habitations as the country’s “first villages” rather than its last.As part of the exercise, an interactive session was organised at Adampur village under Muchia Gram Panchayat in Old Malda, where villagers directly shared their priorities, concerns and development aspirations with district officials and public representatives.The meeting was attended by Malda District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapur, Member of Parliament Gopal Chandra Saha, and the MLA of Old Malda.The district administration is conducting consultations across 29 border villages between July 12 and 14, with community feedback being incorporated into Village Action Plans. These plans will guide the saturation of basic services, improve access to government welfare schemes and create livelihood opportunities based on local needs.Speaking at the programme, MP Gopal Chandra Saha said direct interaction with villagers would ensure that development interventions are driven by local requirements rather than top-down planning.“Direct engagement ensures need-based development,” he said. The MP added that the Village Action Plans under the Vibrant Villages Programme would align local aspirations with national development priorities while strengthening border communities.District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapur said community participation was central to the initiative. “Community participation ensures effective planning and better development outcomes,” he said.Officials said the Village Action Plans would serve as a roadmap for coordinated implementation of government schemes, ensuring that border villages receive comprehensive and inclusive development while giving residents an active role in shaping their future.
