Diplomat Correspondent
JAMMU, DD: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has extended his gratitude to the Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, for increasing the MGNREGA work limit for Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the enhanced support will play a vital role in helping vulnerable communities overcome economic distress.
The Chief Minister also congratulated the Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, and his team for successfully pursuing the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, to approve an additional 50 days of employment under MGNREGA for rural areas affected by natural calamities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister said that this crucial decision will assist thousands of households impacted by recent floods and landslides by ensuring enhanced livelihood opportunities and timely relief. He expressed appreciation for the Government of India’s swift support to J&K.
The Government of India has formally raised the MGNREGA work limit from 100 to 150 days for affected households in Jammu and Kashmir for the financial year 2025–26. This decision follows the declaration of 1,962 Panchayats as flood-affected, after the UT administration sought special relief to address the adverse impacts on agricultural activities and rural livelihoods. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had recommended this extension, which will directly benefit the most vulnerable families by creating stable incomes, reducing economic hardships, and enabling the creation of durable community assets.
The additional employment support will be implemented with revised management protocols and enhanced monitoring through NREGASoft, the national MIS system, which is being updated to record the extra workdays.DD
