استمتع بـUnlimited مع Magzter GOLD

استمتع بـUnlimited مع Magzter GOLD

احصل على وصول غير محدود إلى أكثر من 9000 مجلة وصحيفة وقصة مميزة مقابل

$149.99
 
$74.99/سنة

يحاول ذهب - حر

Darbar Move Returns

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 ISSUE

|

Kashmir Observer

Omar Abdullah's decision to revive the century-old Darbar Move may rekindle nostalgia, but it raises deeper questions about governance priorities, fiscal logic, and the lived realities of common people in Jammu and Kashmir.

- Basit Rasool Thokero

Darbar Move Returns

The decision by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to revive the Darbar Move, a colonial-era practice of shifting the Civil Secretariat between Srinagar and Jammu, has reopened an old debate about the region’s governance priorities.

First introduced in 1872 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, the move was intended to balance administrative presence between the two capitals and adapt to seasonal extremes: Jammu’s heat and Srinagar’s cold.

Over the years, it became a political ritual wrapped in symbolism, until it was suspended in 2021 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for being economically wasteful and administratively unnecessary.

Four years later, its reinstatement feels like a step backward. ‘The question is not about history or symbolism. It is about whether the government can afford such an expensive exercise when the region is still struggling with unemployment, poor healthcare, and underfunded education.

According to official estimates, the biannual shift costs around 200 crore every year. This includes the transportation of files, furniture, and equipment, the payment of travel allowances and accommodation for thousands of employees, and the logistics of running two capitals.

For a Union Territory that continues to rank among India’s most resource-constrained regions, this expenditure raises tough questions.

Can a government that claims to be digitized justify spending this much money on a symbolic migration of files and officials?

The funds could instead be used for repairing flood-hit infrastructure, improving hospitals, building schools, or creating jobs for young people who are increasingly leaving Kashmir in search of livelihood.

المزيد من القصص من Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Core Infra Sectors Record 4-Month High Growth At 3.7% In Dec

India's eight key infrastructure — sectors registered a four-month high growth rate of 3.7 per cent in December last year, driven by a jump in the output of fertiliser and cement, according to official data released on Tuesday.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Nitin Nabin My Boss In Party Matters: PM

Nitin Nabin on Tuesday took charge as the BJP's 12th national president and wasted no time setting the tone for the upcoming key state Assembly elections targeting opposition parties on a range of issues including demographic changes as well as the Karthigai Deepam and Sanatan Dharma row in Tamil Nadu.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Assam All Set to Host Santosh Trophy for 7th Time

The 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy is all set for kick off from Wednesday with Assam hosting it for the seventh time in its chequered history.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

KCCI Welcomes Redevelopment of Amira Kadal Foot Bridge

Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the inauguration of the redeveloped Amira Kadal Foot Bridge, terming it a significant addition to Srinagar's urban infrastructure and an important step towards enhancing the city's appeal for tourists.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

J&K Bank Q3 Net Profit Up 10.4% YoY

On Track To Deliver Record Profits for Fourth Year: MD& CEO

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Top 5 Matte Black Bikes That Turn Heads in Srinagar

In a world where style and performance go hand in hand, matte black motorcycles have become a cult favourite, especially among young riders across India.

time to read

3 mins

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

IndiGo Ops Stabilised; Adequate Pilots To Comply With Flight Duty Norms: DGCA

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Tuesday said sustained regulatory oversight as well as corrective measures have helped stabilise operations at IndiGo, and the airline now has an adequate number of pilots to ensure compliance with the new flight duty norms without disruptions.

time to read

1 mins

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

India to Withdraw Officials' Families From Dhaka

India on Tuesday decided to withdraw the families of Indian officials posted in Bangladesh in view of the security scenario in that country.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

An Agri Expert Reads Kashmir’s Global Market Rise

A policy practitioner shares field-based insights on linking Kashmir’s agriculture with international markets and enterprise pathways.

time to read

6 mins

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Kashmir Observer

Kashmir Observer

Gold Breaches Rs 1.5 Lakh/10g-Mark

Gold prices jumped Rs 5,100 on Tuesday to breach the crucial Rs 1.5 lakh-per-10-gram — milestone in the national capital, driven by strong demand in domestic and international markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

time to read

1 min

Kashmir Observer January 21 Issue

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size