Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will launch the Vibrant Villages Programme II in Assam, with the formal inauguration scheduled at Nathanpur village in Cachar district on Friday, 20 February 2026. The launch will mark a further step in Government efforts to strengthen border villages and promote inclusive development in areas bordering other countries. The event will bring attention to policy measures aimed at integrating remote communities into national development priorities. Officials said the initiative follows previous phases and seeks to build on lessons from earlier interventions. The Vibrant Villages Programme II is designed to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development of border villages through a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach. It will focus on improving essential infrastructure, enhancing access to basic services and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering secure, resilient and prosperous communities. The programme is framed to align with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and to bridge development gaps between border and interior regions. Strengthening these villages is also intended to enable residents to contribute to border security and the prevention of cross-border crime through increased vigilance and local participation. The scheme aims to improve internal security by creating socioeconomic incentives for stability and by integrating community-led measures with formal security arrangements. Authorities expect that enhanced infrastructure and livelihoods will reduce vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminal elements. Vibrant Villages Programme II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 68,390 million (mn) up to Financial Year 2028–29 and will be implemented across 15 States and two Union Territories. The funding allocation is intended to be deployed through a saturation approach that concentrates resources in targeted border habitations and through convergence with existing schemes. Implementation plans will involve coordination between central and state agencies as well as local bodies to ensure delivery of services. The launch in Nathanpur is presented as a milestone in efforts to integrate border communities into the national development agenda.