Srinagar, July 08: In a significant move, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that upon assuming office on August 7, 2020, he decided to permanently abolish the long-standing practice of Darbar Move, which had been a massive drain on the exchequer.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized the substantial cost savings achieved by abolishing the Darbar move, which involved transporting files in hundreds of trucks between Srinagar and Jammu annually.
Speaking at the BHU Urology Update and Alumni meet organized by SKIMS in Srinagar, LG Sinha highlighted that the majority of major government services have transitioned to an “online mode.”
“When the government offices shifted back to Srinagar in May 2021, the decade’s long practice of Darbar move ended forever. There used to be a practice of ferrying files in 270 trucks from Srinagar to Jammu and vice-versa. 1000 rooms were hired in Srinagar and 800 in Jammu every year to accommodate officers,” Lt. Governor said.
“Under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), nearly 400 government services are now accessible online,” Sinha said, adding, that these services have been streamlined to ensure prompt delivery. In cases where an official fails to provide a birth certificate within 15 days, the matter is automatically escalated to higher authorities, and appropriate action, including fines, may be taken.
Meanwhile, LG Sinha underscored the administration’s focus on providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to all residents. With a per capita budget in healthcare that surpasses other states in the country, Jammu and Kashmir now allocates Rs two crore each day for patient treatment through various schemes. Every family in the region has been covered under these schemes, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage.
He acknowledged the need to strengthen the private healthcare sector, mentioning the allotment of land in Srinagar for this purpose.
Reacting about the extension of age bar to University professors, Lt. Governor Sinha addressed the extension of the retirement age for university professors, stating that the administration understands the genuine concerns raised by institutions. He assured that similar provisions can be implemented for SKIMS Soura without any difficulty, considering the shortage of academic professionals.
Appreciating the tourism sector’s potential, LG Sinha mentioned that in 2022, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed 1.88 crore tourists, aiming to increase this number further. To support the growing tourism industry, plans are underway to develop hotel infrastructure at the district level and popular tourist resorts within the Union Territory.
Highlighting the government’s focus on development, LG Sinha outlined the completion of 9,000 developmental projects annually before 2020, with the current target set at 93,000 projects. He emphasized that the funding costs remain similar, with no significant differences.
The successful G-20 Tourism Working group meeting in Srinagar from May 22 to May 25 received global recognition. LG Sinha credited the support of local residents for making this event possible.
During his address, Lt Governor Sinha praised the contribution of BHU alumni to the knowledge economy and their pioneering research, essential for the country’s all-round development. He paid tributes to Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, recognizing his efforts in bringing about social and economic transformation in Indian society.
Calling upon the alumni, LG Sinha emphasized their responsibility in mentoring the youth, building strong networks, and contributing to reforms, infrastructure development, and the establishment of robust educational institutions. He urged their active participation in strengthening the healthcare ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event saw the presence of Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board; Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary of Health and Medical Education; Prof. Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, Director of SKIMS; Heads of Departments from BHU and GMC, former HoDs, alumni of BHU, and their family members.
