Jammu- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that his government will restore Darbar move and said Jammu’s uniqueness will not be allowed to diminish.
Darbar move, an age-old practice under which the civil secretariat and other government offices used to function six months each in Srinagar and Jammu during summer and winter, respectively.
The practice, introduced by Dogra rulers nearly 150 years ago, was stopped by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in June 2021, citing administration’s complete transition to e-office which could help save Rs 200 crore per year.
However, the decision came up for sharp criticism from various quarters including Jammu business community and politicians who termed the exercise as a bond between the two regions.
“Darbar move is an issue which I fail to understand why it was not projected during campaigning for assembly polls. The issue gained momentum only after the election result although we have mentioned it in our manifesto and meetings,” Omar said.
“We assure you that the Darbar move will be restored. Jammu has its own importance and we will not allow its uniqueness to diminish,” he told reporters after chairing over a three-hour long meeting with representatives of civil society at his official residence here.
Omar said the government takes its own decision which does impact the public.
“After a decision, whether its impact is right or wrong, there is a need to get a feedback…sometimes it becomes difficult to get the right feedback within the government system because mostly you are surrounded by people who only praise you. So when a meeting of civil society takes place like this, mostly the participants come without any agenda and put forth their feedback and suggestions which turns out to be beneficial,” he said.
The purpose of this meeting was to get feedback and suggestions as well so that those are implemented, Omar said.
The chief minister said such meetings will be convened twice a year both in Jammu and Srinagar — one in summer and another in winter.
“A lot of issues came up during the meeting. As I said in the meeting, all the issues raised were noted down and we will inform the participants about the action taken report in the next meeting,” he said.
Addressing concerns of regional bias, he stated, “This government is not just for those who voted for the National Conference; it is the government of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite attempts by some to play with emotions of Jammu after the elections and harping on the issue of regional divide, we have consistently prioritized inclusivity and equity.”
The Chief Minister highlighted his deliberate decision to appoint a Deputy Chief Minister from Jammu, not out of compulsion but to underscore that Jammu is as integral to this government as Kashmir.
Addressing the concerns about the Darbar Move, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restore this biannual administrative tradition.
“Some things cannot be weighed merely in financial terms. The Darbar Move symbolizes the unity and inclusivity of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a tradition that ensures governance remains accessible to both regions.”
He dismissed financial arguments against this 150 year old practice which has now been stopped, stating, “The role of the government is not to focus solely on profit. Our responsibility is to serve and ensure balanced development across regions. Ending the Darbar Move would only alienate the people of the two regions from one another and harm the collective unity we strive to preserve.”
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of women’s organizations, non-governmental organizations, ex-servicemen, Kashmiri Pandits, traders, hoteliers, tourism players, transport associations, religious leaders, pensioners, senior folk singers, Sikh representatives, RTI activists, and leaders from various political parties.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over Jammu’s limited share of the burgeoning tourism industry and laid out plans to diversify the region’s economy.
“Over one crore pilgrims visit Mata Vaishno Devi annually, but we have yet to tap into even 15% of this potential to promote tourism in Jammu. If we can redirect a fraction of these pilgrims, Jammu’s economy can transform,” he noted.
He announced plans to establish a craft & culture fair modeled on the Surajkund Mela, to showcase the region’s rich heritage and boost tourism. The initiative will involve collaboration between industries, farmers, cultural representatives, and tourism stakeholders, he stated.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted several key issues raised during the interaction and outlined his government’s commitment to addressing them.
He said that Smart City projects are nearing completion and there is no scope for this government to do any course correction but we shall take new initiatives for Jammu and Srinagar, which aim to modernize the city’s infrastructure and enhance its livability.
The government, he said, will resolve the shortage of Punjabi teachers in schools catering to Sikh children and address some of their genuine concerns.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Chief Minister stated, “While their return depends on restoring a sense of security among the community, we are committed to improving their living conditions and addressing their grievances.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for regular dialogue with civil society to maintain a pulse on ground realities. Unlike in the past, when such meetings were convened only during crises, he committed to holding biannual interactions—twice each in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our goal is to maintain a continuous dialogue with you. By our next meeting, we will present an action-taken report outlining the progress on issues discussed today,” he assured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked the participants for accepting his invitation, emphasizing the significance of such meetings for the government authorities to receive valuable feedback from outside four walls of their offices.
“Whether you benefit from these meetings or not, my colleagues and I certainly do. These interactions provide us with an opportunity to hear your thoughts on our work and governance directly,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable insights and suggestions.
“Your feedback and ground realities help us improve our governance. I hope that when we meet again, you will continue to provide your constructive input to guide us in serving Jammu and Kashmir better,” he said.
On the occasion, the civil society members hailed the initiative and termed it as a step towards transparent and inclusive governance, and said the much needed interaction has set the tone for fostering stronger ties between the government and the people it serves.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
