Official end of the Darbar Move? LG Sinha says practice ended through e-office

21 June 2021

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Srinagar: In what could mark the first official acknowledgment of the end of the Darbar Move practice in Jammu & Kashmir – in which the erstwhile state would shift its capital between Srinagar and Jammu on a 6-months rotational basis – Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said his administration ‘has completely transitioned to e-Office.’

“Through a complete transition to e-office, we have put an end to the practice of hundreds of years old ‘Durbar Move’, under which the Civil Secretariat and other ‘move offices’ function six months each in Srinagar and Jammu”, he said in his ‘Awaam Ki Awaaz’ programme, aired on all local and primary channels of All India Radio stations.

“Now, both the Jammu and Srinagar Secretariats can function normally for 12 months. This will save the Government Rs 200 crore per year, which will be used for the welfare of the deprived sections,” he said.

Pertinently, as of now, political parties in Jammu & Kashmir have not expressed their views or reacted to this development, which was earlier said to have been halted due to the pandemic conditions. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in April 2020, had said this about the temporary arrangement of the J&K secretariat operating in Srinagar and Jammu simultaneously.

Mood in Jammu region

Meanwhile, in Jammu region, there are already indications of unhappiness with this move as the Jammu city’s real estate sector and the overall business are likely to be impacted due to this change. Thousands of families and their extended families, directly or indirectly associated with the Move Employees from Kashmir region, normally shift to Jammu city in winter months.

This move tradition, observers believe, has strengthened social and cultural interaction and bonding between Jammu and Kashmir regions and has translated into a real estate boom in Jammu city, coupled with a high growth in retail business. With this change, a downward trend in growth is likely to manifest in coming days.

About Durbar Move

Darbar Move is the name given to the bi-annual shift of the secretariat and all other government offices of Jammu and Kashmir from one capital city to another. From May to October, governmental offices are traditionally housed in the summer capital, Srinagar, and the other six months in its winter capital, Jammu. The tradition was started during Dogra rule in 1872 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh.

Other economic matters

Meanwhile, LG Sinha during his ‘Awam ki Away’ program said that the pace of new industrial schemes in J&K had stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now the efforts would be intensified to take it on the ground in the coming days.

“We are paying close attention to the business, industry, and tourism sectors affected by Corona and decisions would be taken for their convenience. Work will also be done on a war footing to promote the art and culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said.

Congratulating the farmers for the meaningful changes that have been made in the infrastructure of agriculture and horticulture, the Lt Governor said a new era is being ushered in this sector.

Sinha directed the agriculture department to promote naturally degradable packaging under a policy and impart training to all the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir in using biodegradable packaging.

“Despite Corona, the administration has been working diligently in the field of agriculture and horticulture. Investments are being made in a systematic manner in Jammu and Kashmir for high-density plantation, food processing, cold storage and many schemes are being launched for the farmers,” he said.