Following the traditional bi-annual Darbar move which has been witnessing the government machinery shifting from Srinagar to Jammu since the times of Maharaja, all the government departments of Jammu and Kashmir State will reopen in Jammu and start functioning from November 10.
The practice of bi-annual move between the State’s two capitals has been in practice since 1872 when the then Dogra rulers of the state introduced it to forge an emotional integration between the people of the two regions of the state.
The 136-year-old trend of Darbar Move has cost billions of rupees from the state exchequer so far.
With considerable expansion in the state government establishment, the annual practice reportedly costs about Rs 700 million.
Though the governments at various levels are notorious for inefficiency but now it is for the past 136 years, the old tradition of Darbar Move from Srinagar to Jammu and back has been kept with remarkable efficiency. This unique way of keeping two state capitals for six months each and the government moving its headquarters for winter and summer that was started in 1872, during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh.
It is another matter that the practice of shifting the offices between the two capitals along with huge staff devoures, the State exchequer of several hundred crores of rupees.
After every six months huge public money is spent on the face lifting of government bungalows and employee quarters for the Bi-Annual event of Darbar move. While on the other hand problem of un-employment is rising day by day which is compelling educated youth to take to streets for demanding employment. Instead of using the money being wasted every year on shifting of government officers from Srinagar to Jammu and vice versa, for generating employment avenues, the State Government is determined to spend a huge amount every year thus the future of un-employed youth is left in the lurch.
In the state on an average, at least one protest in a week by the unemployed demanding jobs has become almost a routine affair in the State. But the government except the routine promises seems oblivious to the magnitude of the problem.
Not only this, there are innumerable cases where employees have denied of timely salaries for months together and unfortunately on such times financial crunch is the excuse put forth for the delay. But there seems to be no financial crunch when it comes to face lifting of government bungalows (not this time but most of the times ministers bungalows). The government continues to spend crores of rupees annually in connection with Darbar Move, this happens despite the fact that the State depends heavily on the financial resources from the Central Government.
As part of the Bi-Annual move of government offices from Srinagar to Jammu in the first week of November, the Civil Secretariat building and other office complexes along with the accommodations of employees got started getting a fresh face-lift in Jammu. Rooms of senior bureaucrats and other government employees are also being spruced up. In various government quarters, even the walls are being cemented and additional rooms built for the convenience of employees.
“The Darbar Move is stated to be an age-old practice since Maharajas’ time under which the government functions six months each from Srinagar and Jammu during summer and winter months of the year respectively. The boarding of goods has started. It’s an age old tradition, not a new one,” said an employee who arrived in Jammu with the advance party. All the arrangements for Darbar Move have been put in place.
Nearly, 10,000 government officials and employees will be moving here to Jammu for next six months. With the opening of the Civil Secretariat and other related offices in the winter capital Jammu, the people expect a busy winter season.
The Government employees of Srinagar come to Jammu for six months besides businessmen and lakhs of people also came here. The heavy winters start in the Valley from November so the people came to Jammu to escape from the chilly winds in the biting cold of Kashmir Valley during winters.
People in Srinagar as well in Jammu feel that the residents living in the two parts of the State are united and they maintain a brotherly feeling in their hearts for each other.
However, the shift holds significance in the wake of recent two-month conflict and agitations over Amarnath land row.
“Whether the Hindus of Jammu or Muslims of Kashmir, both are one and have no fear from each other that any among them will create any problem for each other and should not expect the same. We are like brothers and will remain alike always. We eat in the same plate; sit together and if anybody from any region either Jammu or Kashmir has any problem, can discuss to solve it,” said another employee of the advance party in Jammu.
Relevant to mention here that the State Road Transport Corporation (STRC) has provided 111 trucks for shifting the official records from Srinagar Civil Secretariat to Jammu Civil Secretariat.
However, keeping the recent agitation in mind, tight security arrangements have been made both in Jammu as well as on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway for the fleet of busses and trucks carrying official records.