“MGNREGA Wages in Hilly Areas Should Be Raised to Rs 311”: Minister Javid Dar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir’s Minister for Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar has called for an increase in MGNREGA wages in hilly areas from Rs 272 to Rs 311, citing difficult terrain and local economic conditions, during a national review meeting held on Saturday.

The online meeting, chaired by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, reviewed the implementation of MGNREGA and discussed the upcoming Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), which aims to strengthen rural employment programmes.

Ministers from States and Union Territories participated in the session to assess ongoing schemes and offer inputs for the proposed framework, expected to be launched soon.

During the deliberations, Dar highlighted Jammu and Kashmir-specific issues, stressing that any wage revision should align with the Minimum Wages framework. He also sought additional central financial assistance to clear pending material liabilities during the transition to the new mission-based rural employment system.