Centre raises MGNREGA work limit to 150 days for J-K: L-G welcomes move

In a significant push to support vulnerable households in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has approved an increase in the number of employment days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to 150 days for the 2025–26 financial year. The move aims to strengthen livelihood security in rural areas hit by natural calamities such as floods, landslides, and cloudbursts.

The decision came after the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recommended that affected areas in the Union Territory receive an additional 50 days of work, beyond the usual 100 days provided under MGNREGA. The Centre agreed, acknowledging the increased demand for public work following recent disasters that severely impacted rural livelihoods.

According to an official statement, the enhanced work limit will apply to rural households located in flood, cloudburst, and landslide-affected regions of J&K, ensuring greater employment support during the upcoming financial year. The relief is expected to create stability for families suffering economic distress while also helping build durable public assets.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha welcomed the announcement, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In a post on X, Sinha said the decision would “enhance livelihood security in rural areas affected by natural calamity” and provide a safety net for vulnerable families.

He also noted that 1,962 panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir were officially declared flood-affected, resulting in a severe economic impact on thousands of residents. Special assistance had already been sought from the central government, and the latest approval, Sinha said, will help restore income stability in these communities.

The extension of workdays under MGNREGA is expected to reduce rural distress, create employment opportunities, and accelerate recovery efforts in areas hit hardest by natural disasters, marking a crucial step toward economic resilience in Jammu and Kashmir.