Kerala will form panchayat-level committees to determine the mandatory 60-day suspension of the rural job scheme during the agricultural season, in line with new Central guidelines.
Kollam: Under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), the revamped employment guarantee scheme, panchayat-level committees are being constituted to determine the agricultural work break period for each region in Kerala. Under Section 6 of the new Act, the employment guarantee scheme must be suspended for 60 agriculturally significant days in every financial year. Taking into account the state's farming patterns and climatic conditions, these 60 days will be determined locally for each grama panchayat through the committees.
Each committee will be headed by the grama panchayat president and include the Development Standing Committee chairperson and the Agriculture Officer as members. The Panchayat Secretary will serve as the convener.
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The committees will identify the 60-day agricultural season after considering the major crops grown in the area, sowing and harvesting periods, and the local agro-climatic zone.
The recommendations will be forwarded to the State Employment Guarantee Mission through the District Planning Committee. The state government will issue a notification after consolidating the recommendations.
Any changes to the identified agricultural season must be communicated to the government by the State Mission at least two months before the beginning of the financial year.
The Centre's provision mandating a 60-day suspension of work under VB-G RAM G during the agricultural season has drawn criticism in Kerala, with many arguing that it is unsuitable for the state's farming pattern.
Critics point out that the rule was designed primarily for northern Indian states, where large-scale single-crop cultivation creates distinct agricultural seasons and labour shortages during sowing and harvesting.
Kerala, however, has multiple crops cultivated throughout the year in different regions, making it practically difficult to identify a single agricultural season.
They also argue that most VB-G RAM G workers in Kerala are not part of the traditional agricultural workforce and are therefore unlikely to shift to farm work even if employment guarantee work is suspended.
In addition, Kerala's terrain and climatic conditions already restrict the number of months during which VB-G RAM G work can be carried out. A mandatory 60-day suspension could further affect the livelihoods of workers who depend on the scheme.
Published: 29 Jul 2026, 01:30 pm IST
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