Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said his government decided to revive the age-old Darbar Move tradition to bridge the gap between the twin capitals—Jammu and Srinagar—emphasizing that certain practices “should not be weighed in terms of money.”
The Darbar Move, a 150-year-old tradition started by the Dogra rulers, involves the biannual shifting of government offices between Srinagar and Jammu—moving to the latter during winters and back in summers.
The Civil Secretariat and other move offices, which closed in Srinagar on October 30 and 31, resumed functioning in Jammu, the winter capital, from Monday for the next six months.
Abdullah said the decision aimed to counter efforts by some people to fuel divisions between the two regions.
“Some always try to create a wedge between Jammu and Srinagar, playing the ‘Jammu versus Kashmir’ card for political gain. We want to bridge that gap and bring people closer,” he said.
The Darbar Move was halted in June 2021 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who cited the shift to e-office operations as a cost-saving measure expected to save around ₹200 crore annually. The decision faced strong criticism, especially from Jammu’s business community, which called it a setback to trade and inter-regional ties.
On October 16, fulfilling an election promise, Abdullah restored the tradition, a move that was widely welcomed by traders and residents.
“How important this decision is, especially for Jammu, became evident this morning,” the Chief Minister said. “The five-minute journey from my residence to the Civil Secretariat took over an hour, with people pouring into the streets to express their happiness. Jammu suffered greatly when the Darbar Move was stopped.”
Abdullah said the revival was not merely symbolic but would help strengthen the local economy and restore emotional unity.
“The Darbar Move is not just about money—it’s about sentiment and togetherness. When it was stopped, the unity between the two regions was hurt. We wanted to correct that,” he said, calling the tradition “the biggest means of uniting Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added, “While financial benefits will follow, not every decision should be viewed through the lens of cost. Reviving this practice will also boost Jammu’s economy.”
On logistical arrangements, Abdullah acknowledged that since the move was resuming after a gap, it might take a few days to streamline operations. “We are reorganizing offices, providing residential accommodations, and ensuring all necessary arrangements. A special team led by Additional Chief Secretary Shaleen Kabra has been tasked to resolve any issues faced by employees,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Abdullah noted that his government had been in office for only a year but assured that “things will continue to improve” with time.
