Jammu, Nov 03: Asserting that restoring historic Darbar Move practice was aimed at correcting injustice done with Jammu and Kashmir regions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that he has fulfilled the promise made in the party manifesto.
Talking to the reporters, the Chief Minister, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “The Darbar Move was stopped for four years; now, it has resumed again.”
“The Move shouldn’t be measured solely in monetary terms. No one can deny that it benefits Jammu’s economy. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining Jammu and Kashmir’s unity,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said that during the six summer months, many people from Jammu come to Srinagar to work, and during the six winter months, people from Srinagar come to Jammu to live. “This flow of people between the two provinces benefits Jammu and Kashmir immensely,” he said.
Omar said, “The decision to scrap off Darbar Move shouldn’t have been taken. Now, I won’t go into what compulsions were there at the time, or the circumstances under which it was done. But, I have repeatedly said that this Darbar Move is not Sheikh Abdullah’s or Farooq Abdullah’s or my legacy. This was a practice that began long before the country gained independence. We have just restarted it,” he added.
Notably, the Darbar Move, was initiated in 1872 by Maharaja Gulab Singh and the practice continued till 2021. It was halted for four years, now it has recommenced.
*ON RESERVATION*
Regarding reservation, Omar said that there is nothing to be kept hidden. “What’s there to hide? If we had wanted to hide it, we would not have included it in our manifesto. The discussion in this regard began only when the National Conference included it in its manifesto. Otherwise, nobody was discussing it? Those who today are posing as great sympathizers of those with open merit? Where were they until the National Conference included it in its manifesto?,” he said.
Omar said that the cabinet subcommittee has submitted its report. “It is our full intention to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling that reservations should not exceed 50%. If there was a point in hiding the reservation level for Jammu and Kashmir, why would we do it?”
About bye-elections in Budgam and Nagrota, the Chief Minister said that they are putting in all efforts to emerge victorious. “One was our own seat. We lost one a year ago. But we hope we will perform well in Nagrota this time too. Because the BJP has proven one thing, which I say again and again: the BJP has no objection to dynastic rule. They absolutely love dynastic rule, but only their own families. The families that are against the BJP see dynastic rule only in them, and thankfully, this was proven again in Nagrota,” he said.
*ON STATEHOOD RESOLUTION*
Asked about statehood resolution, Omar said that as the Darbar Move was done today, they will do more. “Before that, under the Assembly Resolution, we addressed the political issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the Cabinet Resolution, we addressed statehood. In the budget, we made some important announcements for Jammu and Kashmir. Now, the budget will be presented again in February. There will be more in it. The process will continue. No government is formed for a week, a month or a year. A government comes to power with the intention of spending the entire five years presenting its agenda to the people. We have completed one year, and four years remain. Now, we stand firm that we will fulfill the promises we made to the people,” he said.
*ON MEHBOOBA MUFTI’S PIL OVER SHIFTING OF PRISONERS*
Reacting to the PDP Chief, Mehbooba Mufti’s move filing PIL in court over shifting of prisoners, he said that now, the matter is before the court. “Nothing will happen until the court delivers its verdict. You can’t even debate it in the Assembly. You have now pushed this issue beyond the scope of discussion. Now, when these same people try to raise a question or a resolution in the Assembly, the Speaker will say that this matter is subjudice. We will have to see. But, they thought maybe they could achieve something through the courts,” he added.
*GETS ROUSING RECEPTION*
Pertinently, the Chief Minister received a rousing reception on his arrival at the Civil Secretariat Jammu as the traditional Darbar Move resumed for the winter session. The biannual Darbar Move, to be followed now onwards, marks the formal opening of offices in the winter capital.
As per the day’s schedule, the Chief Minister arrived at Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu at 9:15 AM, where he was warmly received and felicitated by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce, Residency Road and Rajinder Bazar Associations.
Thereafter, the Chief Minister walked towards Raghunath Bazar Chowk via Residency Road, greeting traders and citizens who lined the route to extend greetings and best wishes on his arrival.
At Raghunath Bazar Chowk, Omar Abdullah was felicitated by the Raghunath Bazar Association before proceeding on foot towards City Chowk, where he was received by members of the City Chowk Bazar and Kanak Mandi Bazar Associations.
*INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOUR, CEREMONIAL PARADE*
Later, the Chief Minister was received at the Civil Secretariat, where he was presented with a Guard of Honour, marking the opening of offices as part of the traditional Darbar Move.
The Chief Minister inspected the ceremonial parade and interacted with officers and staff on the occasion.
Following the ceremonial reception, Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting with the Council of Ministers and Administrative Secretaries to get an update on the functioning of various departments and assess the administrative preparedness following the move.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister described the restoration of the Darbar in Jammu after a gap of four years as “a welcome experience” that has infused a wave of enthusiasm and happiness across the city and its adjoining areas.
He, however, underlined the challenges ahead, noting that the government is now at a crucial juncture where “actual ground delivery is expected.”
“All planning and discussion phases have been completed. It is now time to translate the decisions into tangible outcomes on the ground,” Omar Abdullah emphasised.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to focus on the timely implementation of projects already sanctioned and approved, ensuring visible progress at the grassroots level.
Acknowledging the financial constraints being faced, Omar Abdullah assured that the matter of limited resources “will be appropriately addressed.” He called for a balanced approach, urging officers to “ensure effective delivery while simultaneously curbing unnecessary expenditure.”
The Chief Minister also informed that a series of district-level review meetings have already been conducted in the Kashmir province and that similar interactions will now be initiated across the Jammu division to assess developmental progress and address public issues.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commended all departments for their coordinated efforts in ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the recently concluded Assembly session—(KNO)
