The Jammu and Kashmir administration is finalizing arrangements for the annual Darbar Move, with the Civil Secretariat scheduled to resume operations in Jammu on November 2. This marks the conclusion of the bi-annual relocation of government offices between the summer capital Srinagar and winter capital Jammu. The process of shifting the secretariat from Srinagar to Jammu will commence on October 31, involving the organized movement of employees in designated convoys.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) has been tasked with providing a sufficient fleet of well-maintained buses to facilitate the transportation of employees on October 31 and November 1. The corporation is also responsible for issuing tickets in advance, starting from October 27, from both the Civil Secretariat and its main booking counters. To mitigate potential disruptions, each convoy will be accompanied by a crane and two empty buses, ensuring that employee travel is not significantly inconvenienced by breakdowns. Mobile workshops will also be part of the convoy to address any mechanical issues that may arise en route.
The General Administration Department (GAD) is overseeing the establishment of a winter secretariat in Srinagar. Administrative secretaries have been instructed to submit details of the employees who will be retained at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. This retained staff will comprise one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officials from each department. The order explicitly states that no official is to be retained without prior approval from the competent authority. In selecting the staff to remain in Srinagar, departments are directed to prioritize female employees and those with serious medical conditions, where feasible.
Furthermore, departments are required to identify one room each at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar for the retained employees and submit this information to the GAD. This will enable the issuance of orders for accommodation allotment during the winter session. Each employee participating in the Darbar Move will receive a special move travel allowance of Rs 25,000. This allowance is intended to cover the expenses associated with the relocation.
Security arrangements for the Darbar Move are being coordinated by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who will provide escorts for the employee convoys along their entire route. The police have also been directed to ensure that the convoys are granted priority passage through critical infrastructure, including the Banihal-Qazigund tunnel and the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel. The Director General of Police, J&K, will issue specific guidelines to field agencies to ensure the smooth and secure transit of the convoys.
The Health and Medical Education Department is making comprehensive arrangements for medical aid facilities at several key locations along the route from Srinagar to Jammu. These locations include Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur, and Jhajjar Kotli. The Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department has been instructed to issue necessary directives to the directorates of both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions to ensure that adequate medical facilities are available throughout the transit period. This multi-faceted approach aims to ensure a seamless transition of government operations to Jammu, maintaining administrative continuity and public service delivery.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.