Has the Centre Increased the Person-Days to 150 under MGNREGA for J&K? LG Sinha Expresses Gratitude to PM
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Centre raises MGNREGA person-days to 150.
- Decision aims to boost rural livelihoods in J&K.
- Lieutenant Governor expresses gratitude to PM Modi.
- 1,962 Panchayats declared flood-affected.
- Additional employment expected to alleviate economic distress.
Jammu, Nov 22 (NationPress) Following a recommendation from the UT government, the Centre has raised the number of person-days under the MGNREGA scheme to 150 days for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for this pivotal decision.
The LG stated: "I extend my heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble PM Sh. Narendra Modi Ji and Hon'ble Union Minister of Rural Development Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ji for enhancing the number of person-days under MGNREGA to 150 days for J&K, aimed at improving livelihood security in rural regions impacted by natural disasters.
“A total of 1,962 Panchayats in J&K were identified as 'flood affected', significantly impacting livelihoods. The Government of India was approached for special relief, and this decision will ensure a steady income for vulnerable rural families, alleviating their economic burdens and fostering the creation of sustainable assets,” he remarked.
Previously, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) had advocated for an extension of 50 additional employment days beyond the standard 100 days per household under MGNREGA for the fiscal year 2025-26 in areas affected by floods, cloud bursts, and landslides.
Given the anticipated surge in demand for public works employment due to natural calamities, it has been determined, in accordance with Section 3(4) of the MGNREG Act, to provide up to 50 extra days of employment in the affected rural sectors of J&K for the 2025-26 financial year.
The overarching objective of MGNREGA is to bolster the livelihood security of rural households nationwide by ensuring at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment each financial year to every rural household that has adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual labor.
MGNREGA acknowledges the necessity of fortifying the livelihood resources of the impoverished, particularly targeting the most vulnerable sectors of rural communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women-led households, and other marginalized groups.
The initiative fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility by reinforcing Panchayat Raj institutions. MGNREGA employs a bottom-up approach to planning and execution, empowering local populations to spearhead their developmental initiatives.
By creating high-quality and durable productive assets, the scheme addresses immediate economic requirements while laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.