Jammu: The long-standing tradition of shifting the seat of power to Jammu has resumed after a four-year gap, marking the revival of the historic Darbar Move.
The practice, which was halted in 2021 by the then Lt Governor’s administration, has been reinstated this year by the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government.
Following the announcement, a major facelift drive has been launched across the winter capital, with civic agencies working round the clock to clean, renovate, and beautify government offices and surrounding areas.
On October 16, the Jammu and Kashmir government directed all offices in Srinagar to close by October 31, shortly after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah officially restored the 1872-era tradition introduced by the Dogra rulers.
The move has been warmly welcomed by the people—particularly Jammu’s business community, which hailed it as a timely “Diwali gift.”
The Darbar Move tradition was scrapped in 2021 by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration, citing the full implementation of e-office operations and an estimated annual savings of ₹200 crore. The decision, however, faced widespread criticism from political leaders and traders, who argued that the practice served as a vital symbol of unity between Jammu and Kashmir.
Fulfilling a key election promise, the National Conference government has now restored the custom. Officials said renovation and beautification work is underway in and around the civil secretariat, Raj Bhawan, and other government establishments.
Repair work on several rain-damaged city roads is progressing rapidly, while workers can be seen cleaning pathways and repainting road dividers.
Meanwhile, security measures have been intensified across Jammu, particularly around the civil secretariat, Raj Bhawan, and government housing. The deployment of police and paramilitary forces has also been reinforced along the 270-km Jammu–Srinagar Highway, the key all-weather link between the Valley and the rest of the country.
