Srinagar, July 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Days after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an end to the 149-year-old practice of ‘darbar move’, the Jammu and Kashmir authorities have cancelled residential accommodations of government officials in the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar.

According to an order issued by Commissioner Secretary, Estates Department, M Raju, the officials have been asked to vacate their government quarters in Jammu and Srinagar within 21 days, South Asian Wire reported. On June 20, the L-G had announced that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has completely transitioned to e-office, thereby ending the practice of the biannual darbar move.

“Now both the Jammu and Srinagar secretariats can function normally for 12 months. This will save the government Rs 200 crore per year, which will be used for the welfare of the deprived sections,” he said.

What is darbar move?

According to South Asian Wire, The practice of darbar move has been a part of the Jammu and Kashmir administration since 1872 when it was introduced by Maharaja Gulab Singh. Srinagar serves as the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while Jammu is the winter capital. The administration used to function in Jammu during the six months of winter and in Srinagar during the summer.

Due to this, employees from Jammu were allotted residential accommodation in Srinagar and those from Srinagar in Jammu. The Raj Bhavan, the civil secretariat and other major offices used to be shifted to the twin cities in phases, which used to cost the exchequer close to Rs 200 crore.

The order issued by Commissioner Secretary, Estates Department said sanction had been accorded to the cancellation of allotment of residential accommodation of officers and officials in Srinagar and Jammu. The order said the officers and officials would vacate their government-allotted residential accommodation in the twin capital cities within 21 days.

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