Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 12: The Jammu and Kashmir administration deciding to go for partial Durbar Move due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered the speculations that 148-year old practice started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 is likely to end.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The government’s decision to let the Civil Secretariats in Jammu and Srinagar function simultaneously could be a beginning.”
He said, “Shifting the move offices at this point of time when J&K is under the grip of COVID-19 is not possible. No one wants to take any chances amidst the complete nation-wide lockdown.”
The government’s decision to defer Durbar Move and allow the Jammu and Kashmir based employees to function from the places where they are stationed at present has made the voices shriller to seek the end of this system which was started by monarchs and later followed by the elected representatives.
In summers, rulers in order to escape from the scorching heat in Jammu move to Srinagar and in winters rulers move to Jammu to save themselves from biting cold conditions in Kashmir. Shifting of the offices and employees bi-annually is a very expensive affair and is direct burden on J&K’s exchequer.
It’s in place to mention here that Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Saturday directed the administration to provide it with the financial and other modalities associated with the Durbar Move practice after a PIL was filed to seek deferment of the practice in wake of the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Soon after J&K was bifurcated into two union territories speculations were rife that Durbar Move practice will end. It seems the outbreak of COVID-19 has provided a chance to the administration to consider this option,” said an observer.
He said, “If Durbar Move practice is abolished there is a possibility about some departments functioning from Jammu and some from Srinagar permanently. If the government decides to do away with the practice there will definitely be a plan at place.”
Another analyst said, “We should not come to the conclusion as the government has clearly stated that the Durbar Move has been deferred till the spread of COVID-19 is contained. Whether this practice will be scrapped fully or not is a matter of debate.”
He said, “After the outbreak of the COVID-19 most of the activities have come to a halt. As its offices are not functioning and the officials are being advised to work from home. Coming to a conclusion so fast is an overreaction. Let the dust settle down first.”
