Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has officially begun work from Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, in line with the government’s latest directives on the traditional bi-annual Darbar move. This development follows an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on October 23, which has streamlined the Darbar move to include only the administrative secretaries and key department heads.
Under the new arrangement, only a selected group of senior officials will relocate from Srinagar to Jammu, marking a significant shift in the longstanding tradition of moving the entire civil secretariat between the two capitals. This measure is part of a broader government initiative to reduce logistical costs and improve administrative efficiency.
The curtailed Darbar move has stirred various reactions among political and social circles, with some officials welcoming the cost-saving move, while others view it as a deviation from a deep-seated state tradition.
The Chief Ministerâs presence in Jammu is expected to boost winter capital operations, enabling a more concentrated focus on the regionâs development needs during the season. The new strategy aims to ensure that administrative functions remain steady while adapting to evolving operational needs.
This shift comes as part of the governmentâs continuous efforts to balance tradition with modern governance demands, reflecting an adaptive approach to meet the needs of Jammu and Kashmirâs dynamic political landscape.
