Darbar move tradition – UPSC Prelims

Darbar Move Tradition:
  • Darbar move is the name for the bi-annual shift of the secretariat and all other government offices between Jammu and Kashmir.
  • In Summers, shifting was to take place from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa in winters.
  • This is done as J&K has two capitals: Kashmir during summer and Jammu during winter.
Who started the Darbar move tradition?
  • In 1872, the Dogra King Maharaja Ranbir Singh, started the Darbar move practice.
  • The practice aims to take the administration to the doorstep of the people of Kashmir.
  • The move also enabled a greater interaction and bonding among the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Criticisms of the Darbar move:
  • High Cost: The Darbar move draws criticism as the government spends nearly Rs. 200 crore on this exercise every year. The amount is significant as the government does not have enough funds even to pay salary to its employees.
  • Impacts Administration: The move impacts the administration as it nurtures inefficiency and leads to a lack of governance.
  • Movement of Sensitive Documents: The documents and resources are put to  risk in the process of their transportation
What has changed now?
Darbar move tradition in Jammu and Kashmir discontinues from this year.
The move aims to take only sensitive records from Jammu to Srinagar, starting this summer.
This is a shift from previous years. Earlier, the entire administration and records would get shifted.
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