Jammu Kashmir Completes 12,000 Micro Irrigation Works Under MGNREGA; 13,500 More in Progress to Boost Farming | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of irrigation desilting works and Micro Irrigation projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for 2025–26.

Officials informed the Minister that out of 26,198 projects initiated across the Union Territory, around 12,000 have been completed, while 13,493 works are currently underway. The ongoing projects are expected to be finished by April 10, 2026, significantly strengthening irrigation infrastructure and enhancing water availability for the farming community.

A total of Rs 267.90 crore has been spent on these works, which include large-scale desilting of khuls, nallahs, and canals to improve water flow and irrigation potential ahead of the upcoming cropping season.

Minister Dar directed officers to expedite pending works in coordination with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and ensure active involvement of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments to align interventions with crop patterns and farmer needs.

Emphasizing community participation, he called for farmers to be actively engaged in monitoring and execution, ensuring better asset creation and strengthening rural livelihoods, particularly for poor and marginal farmers.

The Minister also urged swift completion of the e-KYC verification of MGNREGA job card holders to guarantee transparency and inclusion of all eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.

This initiative represents one of the largest irrigation-focused interventions under MGNREGA in JK, marking a significant boost to agricultural productivity and rural development.