J&K Govt notifies agricultural pause periods under VB-GRAM-G to protect peak sowing and harvesting seasons
Public works to remain suspended during key farming windows to prevent labour shortages
SRINAGAR, JULY 31 (PTK): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified specific agricultural “pause periods” under the newly launched Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G), suspending public works during peak farming seasons to prevent labour shortages and safeguard agricultural activities.
The move comes as the Union Territory transitions from the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the VB-GRAM-G scheme.
According to an order issued by Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, the pause schedules have been designed in accordance with the distinct agro-climatic calendars of the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
For the Kashmir Division, no new works will be initiated or executed during three key periods: April 26 to May 10 for Kharif sowing, May 25 to June 10 for Kharif transplanting and Rabi harvesting, and September 26 to October 23 for Kharif harvesting and Rabi sowing.
In the Jammu Division, the notified pause periods are April 15 to April 29 for Rabi harvesting, June 15 to June 29 for Kharif sowing and transplanting, and October 15 to November 13 for Kharif harvesting and Rabi sowing.
The notification, issued under Sections 6(2) and 6(3) of the VB-GRAM-G Act, prohibits the initiation or execution of scheme works during the notified periods. However, it provides an exception allowing the Government to undertake specific projects during the pause period if expressly permitted by the Government of India under Section 7 of the Act in public interest.
The mandatory 60-day agricultural pause forms a key component of the Jammu and Kashmir Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Scheme, 2026, which was formally rolled out on July 1, 2026.
The Secretary said the flagship programme enhances the guaranteed wage employment from 100 days to 125 days annually for every eligible rural household willing to undertake unskilled manual work.
Aijaz Asad said that with the agricultural pause periods now legally defined, the Government is ensuring that rural infrastructure development does not come at the cost of farm productivity.
“The transition to 125 days of work under VB-GRAM-G, coupled with technology-driven planning, marks a significant shift towards the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047,” he said.(PTK)
