New Delhi: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu while raising the issue of development in the border areas of Punjab in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, demanded that the Border Area Development Authority be more strengthened so that it could act as the nodal agency to implement the development and welfare schemes of the government which will raise the socio-economic status of the people living in these regions.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “Union Government has started various development and welfare schemes during the last 10 years for the development of border areas which included Vibrant Village program for which Government has allocated a budget of Rs. 1,000 crores. Under the Vibrant Village Programme, the Union Government is developing 3000 villages in 19 border areas. In the 2025 Union Budget, there has been an 87 percent increase in the budget for the development of border areas”.
Sandhu further added that, “Union Government under the leadership of PM Modi has changed the way we look at borders and gave a new dimension to border areas. Under his leadership, these border villages which were earlier called the ‘Last Village of India’ has been termed as the ‘First Village of India’ now.” The Union Government has enhanced the border fencing with the installation of modern surveillance systems and high-tech anti drone technology which has resulted in putting stringent check on the infiltration and drug smuggling.
During his speech, MP Satnam Sandhu threw light on the problems faced by people especially farmers living in border areas of the state, Sandhu said, “People living in border areas of Punjab are the brave Indian citizens who on one hand ensures nation’s food security and on the other hand support country’s security system merely with their presence. But the farmers living on the borders are facing many difficulties. There is always a fear of infiltration, drug smuggling and firing in the border areas which has rendered farming a risky affair in these areas. Moreover, lack of agricultural resources, irrigation problems and difficulties in selling agricultural produce are further worsening the condition of the farmers in these areas. Living in remote areas increases their logistics cost and they do not get a remunerative price for their crops.”
Speaking during the Zero Hour in Parliament, MP Sandhu said, “Punjabis living along border areas are India’s first line of defence who have been fighting for the country alongside our forces. Punjab has a 553-km-long international border with Pakistan which is spread across Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts of the state. In these areas national security, drug trafficking, landlessness, migration of youth and issues faced by farmers are some of the serious concerns of people living here. People living in these border areas are not just citizens of the country, but they are the border warriors. The residents of Punjab have displayed unmatched bravery in the wars of 1965 and 1971.”
While raising the other challenges faced by the residents living in border villages of Punjab Satnam Singh Sandhu urged the Union Government to cover as many villages as possible under Vibrant Village Programme, implement Mega Food Park projects, ensure skill development of youth in border districts, increase the number of de-addiction centres and set up Atal Incubation Centres to foster entrepreneurship among youth in border districts of the state.
Sandhu added, “Owing to policy paralysis of successive governments in the past, weak border security has remained a pressing concern which has further led to serious concerns like terrorism, drug smuggling and infiltration from the Punjab border. These issues had caused irreparable damage to the region as a well nation for a long time.”
As the border areas are most vulnerable to drugs abuse, MP Satnam Sandhu urged the Union Government to increase the number of de-addiction centres in these districts and spread awareness through programmes such as Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign. Apart from this, to encourage the youth of border areas to become entrepreneur, atleast one Atal Incubation Centres per district should be opened in colleges by the Niti Aayog so that the youth can get help in setting up their businesses and more jobs can be created.”
Urging the Central Government to ensure development in border areas of Punjab, Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Sandhu said, “To ensure development and create opportunities for people living in border areas of Punjab, we request to further improve the rural infrastructure so that the people are not only safe, but their economic condition also improve in border areas.”
He further added, “The Mega Food Park projects should be implemented in all these border districts under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Central Government so that farmers can get a fair price for their crops and the economy can pick up pace in the border districts. Three Union Government schemes – Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme must be expanded in these five districts for the skill development of youth in these border districts.”
