Srinagar, Sept 21: The Auqaf Committee of Manigam Bon Gam, Kashmir, has set the rates for paddy harvesting by laborers to bring uniformity and ensure fair rates are paid to the labourers.
Paddy growers of the area told Ziraat Times that it was getting increasingly difficult for them to engage labourers as the asking rates were unaffordable and unable to cover the paddy value and the production costs.
In this regard, the Auqaf Committee of Manigam Bon Gam unanimously resolved the following, which is applicable for all paddy growers of the area:
– Rs 900 for combined cutting and tying per kanal.
– Rs 800 for either cutting or tying per kanal.
The rates were decided upon after discussions and deliberations within the committee.
Would this model work elsewhere in J&K?
As production costs in agriculture and horticulture sectors in J&K are growing rapidly, while the commodity prices are unable to keep pace with production costs, labour costs have become a big issue in Kashmir region.
According to Nazim Sheikh, a labour market researcher in J&K, this model could help in both ways – ensuring fair rates as well as addressing the speculative high rates which disincentivises agriculture activities in Kashmir.
“Such community level decisions are important in agricultural communities of J&K where setting standard rates could help in preventing exploitation and ensuring fair compensation for laborers”, said Ranjit Gupta, a Basmati farmer in Kathua, Jammu.
As of 2024, the minimum wages in Jammu and Kashmir are set as follows:
– Unskilled workers: ₹311 per day or ₹8,086 per month
– Semi-skilled workers: ₹400 per day or ₹10,400 per month
– Skilled workers: ₹483 per day or ₹12,558 per month
– Highly skilled workers: ₹552 per day or ₹14,352 per month.
These rates were updated and notified by the Jammu and Kashmir government in October 2022.