Jammu and Kashmir L-G Manoj Sinha had announced on June 20 that the Union Territory administration has ended the practice of the biannual “darbar move,” a 149-year-old practice and also cancelled residential accommodations of government officials in the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar.<\/p>\n
According to an order issued by Commissioner Secretary, Estates Department, M Raju, the order said the officers and officials would vacate their government-allotted residential accommodation in the twin capital cities within 21 days.<\/p>\n
On June 20, the L-G had declared that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has completely transitioned to E-office, thereby ending the practice of the biannual darbar move.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
What is Darbar Move?<\/strong><\/p>\n This old practice of darbar move has been a part of the Jammu and Kashmir administration since 1872 when it was introduced by Maharaja Gulab Singh, been occurring for 149 years. Srinagar serves as the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while Jammu is the winter capital. The administration used to function in Jammu during the six months of winter and in Srinagar during the summer.<\/p>\n Because of this, employees from Jammu were allotted residential accommodation in Srinagar and those from Srinagar in Jammu. The Raj Bhavan, the civil secretariat, and other major offices used to be shifted to the twin cities in phases, which used to cost the exchequer close to Rs 200 crore.<\/p>\n People expressed their opinion thinking it was a bad move as it would give trouble and inconvenience to the employees while Rs. 200 crore really was nothing to India and would not serve any great purpose for Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n