J&K Govt notifies agriculture pause periods under VB-GRAM G to protect peak sowing, harvesting seasons

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has officially notified specific agricultural “pause periods” under the newly launched Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G), effectively halting public works during peak farming seasons to prevent labour shortages.
The move comes as the Union Territory transitions from the erstwhile MGNREGA to the VB-GRAM-G.
According to the order issued by the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, the pause schedules have been tailored to the distinct agro-climatic calendars of the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
In the Kashmir Division, no new works will be commenced or executed during three key windows: 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.
For the Jammu Division, the enforced pause will occur from 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, strictly bars the initiation or execution of scheme works during these windows. However, a carve-out allows the Government to undertake specific projects during the pause period if expressly permitted by the Government of India under Section 7 of the Act on grounds of public interest.
This enforcement of a mandatory 60-day agricultural pause is a core feature of the newly notified Jammu Kashmir Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Scheme, 2026, which was formally rolled out on July 1st,2026.
The Secretary said that the flagship programme enhances the guaranteed wage employment from the previous 100 days to 125 days annually for every eligible rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
Aijaz Asad said that with the agricultural pause periods now legally defined, we are ensuring that our drive for 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.