Omar Abdullah Promises to Revive ‘Darbar Move’ to Maintain Jammu's Distinctiveness
Click to start listening
Jammu, Dec 11 (NationPress) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Wednesday that he is committed to restoring the traditional ‘Darbar Move’ to safeguard the distinctiveness of Jammu.
While addressing a diverse group of civil society members, including business leaders, industrialists, lawyers, and other professionals, Abdullah remarked, “The uniqueness of Jammu will not be compromised. The government will reinstate the Darbar Move.”
This practice involves the biannual relocation of key government offices between Srinagar and Jammu, a tradition initiated by the Dogra Maharajas of the former state.
To mitigate the substantial expenses associated with moving these offices entirely between the two capitals, the administration led by the Lt Governor abolished the practice in 2021.
“I find it perplexing that the Darbar Move was not emphasized during the campaign for the Assembly elections. The topic only gained traction after the election results, despite our inclusion of it in our manifesto and discussions,” stated the Chief Minister.
“We assure you that the Darbar Move will be reinstated. Jammu holds its own significance, and we will ensure its uniqueness is preserved,” Omar told reporters following a meeting with civil society representatives that lasted over three hours at his official residence.
Referring to the decision to discontinue the Darbar Move, Omar noted that the government makes choices that affect the public.
“Post-decision, whether the outcome is positive or negative, it is essential to gather feedback. Sometimes, acquiring accurate feedback is challenging within the government structure as you are generally surrounded by those who only offer praise. Thus, when civil society meetings occur, participants often come without a set agenda and provide valuable feedback and suggestions,” he added.
“The intent behind this meeting was to collect feedback and recommendations for implementation,” he explained, adding that such meetings would be held twice a year in both Jammu and Srinagar.
