STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj Department has sanctioned a total outlay of Rs 195.96 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to support rural infrastructure development and ensure timely honorarium payments to programme staff across the Union Territory. According to Order No. 79-JK (RD&PR) of 2026 issued by Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad , sanction has been accorded for the release of Rs 174 crore under the material component for the financial year 2025-26. In a separate order, Government Order No. 76-JK (RD&PR) of 2026, the department has also sanctioned Rs 21.58 crore as honorarium for staff engaged in the implementation of MGNREGA from November 2025 to March 2026, besides Rs 38.57 lakh as honorarium for court case staff handling legal matters related to the scheme during the same period. Secretary said that the timely release of funds will significantly strengthen the implementation of rural development programmes and accelerate the execution of key projects across the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, expressed gratitude to the MoRD for the timely release of a major chunk of funds under the MGNREGA for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.