Rs 386 Cr MGNREGA liabilities created during PDP-BJP rule: Minister Javed Dar

Jammu, Mar 24: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javed Ahmad Dar Monday said that MGNREGA liabilities worth Rs 386 crore were created during PDP-BJP rule for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018.

“Breach occurred when there was PDP-BJP government and liabilities piled up to the extent of Rs 386 Cr on account of material brought under MGNREGA and supply orders in Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kupwara and several other areas,” he said, adding that there were no liabilities vis-à-vis the labour component.

He was replying to the debate on demands for grants for the departments under his charge

While referring to the concern of members from both the sides regarding pending MGNREGA liabilities, the Minister stated had the elected (PDP-BJP) government not collapsed, probably they would have tried to recover those liabilities.

“But in June, 2018, the government collapsed so the liabilities remained there static. Now after our government came to power, I reviewed the functioning and sought to know about liabilities as many aggrieved persons were regularly approaching me, demanding clearance of their liabilities. I asked my (RDD) Secretary to take up the matter with New Delhi. He talked to the concerned Secretary there. Following it, I too wrote to the Union Minister,” Dar told the House.

He said that the Union Minister assured him to look into it and see how those liabilities could be cleared.

“This is an uphill task. Therefore, I will request the CM also to use his good offices (there in the union capital) for clearance of these liabilities and bail us out. Rest assured, we will get these liabilities cleared,” Dar said.

He said that the second loss to J&K was on account of release of the amount in installments thereafter. “It was not a loss but a spillover. But this government was seriously working to resolve this issue (liabilities),” he said. Dar said that there were over 23.59 lakh registered workers, with 15.52 lakh actively engaged in meaningful work under MGNREGA in J&K.

The minister said that seven unique agricultural products from J&K were granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India, reinforcing their authenticity, heritage and market value. These included Saffron, Basmati, Bhaderwah Rajma, Mushkbudji Rice, Udhampur Kaladi, Ramban Sulai Honey, and Ramban Anardana.

“In continuation, GI tagging for 17 more crops will be processed during 2025-26,” he said.

Dar said that agriculture and allied sectors were the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, contributing a staggering Rs 37,559 crore, which accounted for 18 percent of the State’s Gross Domestic Product (SGDP).

“The Horticulture sector takes the lead, accounting for a whopping 41 percent of this contribution, reaffirming J&K’s dominance in high value fruit production. The Livestock sector plays a crucial role, contributing 33 percent to the economy, while core agriculture activities make up 25 percent, demonstrating the region’s diverse and resilient agrarian economy,” he said.

The minister said that the government was complementing its ongoing investments in infrastructure with a stronger emphasis on beneficiary-oriented schemes, ensuring that the farmers directly benefit from targeted interventions.

“One such initiative is the High-Density Plantation (HD) Scheme, which has already brought 836 hectare under high-density orchards, including 174 hectares covered in the current financial year. With Rs 30 crore budget allocation during 2024-25, this initiative is driving higher productivity, increased farmer income and long-term sustainability in the horticulture sector,” he said. The minister said that J&K’s agriculture sector was experiencing a remarkable transformation under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), delivering tangible results.

He said that introduction of the rail network in Kashmir would be a game-changer for the apple growers, significantly reducing freight costs and ensuring better profitability.

“Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) is a forward-looking initiative being launched with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),” Dar said.

He asserted that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) – PMAY scheme has been a cornerstone of our efforts to provide housing security to the rural poor, transforming lives by replacing kuccha and dilapidated houses with Pucca homes equipped with basic amenities.

Dar said that the detailed survey under PMAY 2.0 would be completed by the end of March 2025.

“As on date, more than 3.36 lakh beneficiaries have been included in the survey across all 20 districts. With this relaxed criteria, the matter has been taken up with MoRD for inclusion of daily wagers,” he said.

Later the House passed grants of Rs 258.37 crore for Agriculture Production Department; Rs 122.90 crore for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department; Rs 22.52 crore for Fisheries Department; Rs 475.49 crore for Rural Development Department; Rs 70.43 crore for Horticulture Department; Rs 35.96 crore for Election Department and Rs 96.42 crore for the Cooperatives Department through a voice vote after the members withdrew their cut motions.