Jammu and Kashmir ends 149-year-old 'Darbar Move' tradition, spends Rs 200 crore every year

- Officials asked to vacate their respective government quarters at Jammu and Srinagar within 21 days

New delhi date. Thursday, July 01, 2021

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (LG) Manoj Sinha has announced an end to the 149-year-old tradition of 'Darbar Move' due to the Corona virus. A few days later, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday canceled the provision of accommodation for government employees and officials in the Judwa capitals of Jammu and Srinagar.

Officials have been asked to vacate their respective government quarters at Jammu and Srinagar within 21 days as per the order issued by M Raju, commissioner secretary of the estate department. The Lt Governor announced on June 20 that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has been completely transformed into an e-office, ending the tradition of 'Durbar Move', which is held twice a year.

He said both the Jammu and Srinagar secretariats could normally function for 12 months. This will save the government about Rs 200 crore every year which will be used for the welfare of the underprivileged.

What is the tradition of 'Durbar Move'?

The tradition of 'Darbar Move' has been a part of the administration of Jammu and Kashmir since 1872 and was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh. Srinagar was considered to be the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir while Jammu was considered to be the winter capital. The administration was working during 6 months of winter in Jammu and summer in Srinagar.

Due to this, the Jammu employees were allotted residential accommodation in Srinagar and the Srinagar employees were allotted residential accommodation in Jammu. The Raj Bhavan, the Citizens' Secretariat and other key offices were being shifted to cities to be connected in phases at a cost of about Rs 200 crore.

The order issued by the Commissioner Secretary of the Estate Department said that the allocation of residential accommodation (accommodation) of officers in Srinagar and Jammu has been canceled. The order said that employees and officials should vacate their residential accommodation allotted by the government in the capital cities within 21 days.