JAMMU: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired a review meeting to assess the progress on desilting works of Irrigation Khuls and the execution of Micro Irrigation projects undertaken under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for the 2025–26 fiscal.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed action plan for the Financial Year 2026–27 aimed at strengthening the irrigation infrastructure and improving water availability for agriculture.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department Sheetal Nanda, Director RDD Jammu, Shehnaz Akhtar, Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Member Secretary MGNREGA, Waseem Raja, Chief Engineer of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) of both divisions and other senior officers of the concerned departments while the outstation officers participated online.
During the meeting, the Member Secretary, MGNREGA, delivered a detailed PowerPoint Presentation highlighting the district-wise performance of Micro Irrigation works being implemented under the MGNREGA. The presentation informed that a total of 26,198 works were taken up across the Union Territory, of which, around 12,000 have been physically completed while 13,493 works are currently under execution. It was further apprised that the ongoing works are progressing at a steady pace and are expected to be completed by 10 April 2026, thereby strengthening the irrigation infrastructure and enhancing water availability for the farming community.
The meeting was further apprised that a total of ₹267.90 crore have been utilised for execution of these works. Large-scale desilting of irrigation khuls, nallahs and canals is being carried out to improve the water flow and enhance irrigation potential. These interventions are expected to significantly support the water harvesting and irrigation requirements for the upcoming cropping season, thereby benefiting the farming community across rural areas.
The officers also informed the Minister that the e-KYC verification of active and eligible job card holders under MGNREGA is presently underway. The process is being carried out on priority to ensure transparency and inclusion of genuine beneficiaries.
While reviewing the progress, the Minister directed the concerned officers to expedite completion of all the pending and ongoing desilting works within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasized that the works should be carried out in close coordination with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to ensure technical efficiency and sustainability.
The Minister further instructed that the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments must be kept closely involved in planning and execution of these works so that irrigation interventions are aligned with the actual needs of farmers and crop patterns in different regions.
Highlighting the importance of community participation, the Minister stressed that local communities, particularly farmers, should be actively involved in the execution and monitoring of such works. He noted that greater participation will help ensure better asset creation, improve irrigation infrastructure and strengthen the rural livelihoods, particularly for poor and marginal farmers.
He also directed the officers to complete the e-KYC process at the earliest, ensuring that no deserving and active job card holder remains uncovered under the scheme, thereby enabling them to benefit from employment opportunities and rural development initiatives under MGNREGA.
