Darbar move shadowed, govt rejects speculations

JAMMU: Amidst the speculations over extension of ongoing lockdown, an uncertainty looms large over the timing of annual Jammu and Kashmir Darbar move, which is scheduled every year for the last week of April, the government said that the move will take place, while refusing to specify any timeline.

However, one of the advisors to J&K Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu claims that the annual of darbar move will happen on time.
The authorities in J&K are strictly implementing nation-wide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19, which restricts the movement of people, vehicles excluding service of essential commodities. As per the central government guidelines, the existing lockdown will continue till April 15th but due to rapid increase in the positive cases of the virus across country, the speculations are on rife that the restrictions will be extended.
“According to the century-old exercise of darbar move, the government shuts Civil Secretariat, Jammu on last week of April and starts functioning from Srinagar in the first week of May,” an official said.
He informed that the preparation for moving government records from Jammu to Srinagar starts at the beginning of April but this time the Civil Secretariat, Jammu wore a deserted look.
“Following the coronavirus pandemic, the Civil Secretariat, Jammu wore a deserted look and no civilians were allowed in the premises expect important officials,” an official wishing not to named told The News Now.
He further informed that few Srinagar-bound government employees are already moved to the summer capital of J&K with crucial records, which are necessary to start the official work.
“If the lockdown extended in Jammu and Kashmir beyond April 15, the annual darbar -move may be delayed until the situation comes under control. Ironically, the employees are fearing exposure to the infection and this will be a quit tough challenge for the government,” he added.
However, one of the advisors to Lt Guv G C Murmu has ensured this scribe that darbar move will happen on time. “The primary focus of the government is to deliver good governance. Even this crisis the government is making all possible efforts to ensures essential services and treatment,” he added.
“As per exercise, the official order of Darbar Move issued on April 15 and lockdown will end on the same day,” General Administration Department (GAD), Farooq Ahmad Lone told The News Now.
“It is too early to comment on the specific dates. And if the lockdown extended, the decision will be taken accordingly,” he added. “Right now, we are not preparing from the darbar move. The decision will be taken according to time and situation,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the during summers Jammu and Kashmir functioning from Srinagar for the next six months. Darbar Move is a century-old practice in which the government functions for six months each in the two capitals of the Union Territory, Srinagar and Jammu.
The practice was reportedly started in the late 19th century by Ranbir Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, who used to shift his capital between Srinagar in the summer and Jammu in the winter to escape extreme weather conditions in these places.

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