Srinagar, Oct 25: Member of Parliament (MP), Er Rashid on Friday led a protest outside the Civil Secretariat here, demanding the reinstatement of the Darbar Move – an over-a-century-old tradition where Jammu and Srinagar alternated as the seasonal capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rashid, the president of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), talked about the “administrative challenges” faced by residents and government employees since the government suspended the biannual relocation.
“The Darbar Move balanced access to administrative services between Jammu and Srinagar,” he said, expressing anger over the lack of clarity for people unsure of where to seek services.
“People are often left wondering if their files are in Jammu or Srinagar, creating unnecessary hardship,” he remarked.
Calling for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to fulfill a previously pledged resolution to this issue, the MP said that a final decision is needed. “Either restore the Darbar Move or make Srinagar the permanent capital,” he urged.
“Historically, the Darbar Move facilitated a unique balance, allowing regions in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions to have easier access to the seat of government. However, after the suspension of this tradition, concerns regarding an administrative disconnect and inefficiency have grown,” Rashid added.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration defends the suspension, citing the high financial costs. Officials estimate the move, which required shifting thousands of files and employees, incurred an annual expense of nearly Rs 200 crore.
The administration argues that ending the Darbar Move allows these funds to be reallocated toward essential services and infrastructure development across the Union Territory.
