The government is all set to operate from Jammu from Monday for the next six months, marking the revival of the centuries-old tradition of ‘Darbar Move’ after a gap of four years.

The civil secretariat and other offices, which closed in Srinagar on October 30 and 31, will start functioning from the winter capital on November 3 under the biannual ‘Darbar Move’, a practice which was discontinued by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021 and restored by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last month.
Elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth reopening of the offices, including security, accommodation and transport facilities for employees who shifted from Srinagar to Jammu, officials said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and most of the employees travelled by road from Srinagar to Jammu to attend their offices in Jammu on Monday, the first winter session of the government in the region after the restoration of the ‘Darbar Move’.
‘Darbar Move’, introduced by Dogra rulers nearly 150 years ago, was stopped by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in June 2021, citing the 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 the Jammu business community who termed the exercise as a bond between the two regions.
On October 16, CM Omar Abdullah fulfilled his election promise by restoring the ‘Darbar Move’, a decision which was warmly welcomed by the traders in Jammu who are mulling to shower flower petals on the employees on their arrival at the civil secretariat.
Jammu city received a major facelift ahead of ‘Darbar Move’ with authorities focusing on the repair of roads that were damaged in heavy rainfall in August-September and upkeep of government offices and quarters.
The officials said police and paramilitary forces will be deployed in strength in the sensitive areas to tackle any protest by daily wagers who are demanding regularisation of their services or any other group.