Is govt reviving traditional practice?

For the first time after the traditional practice of Durbar Move was stopped in Jammu and Kashmir, the newly elected government has once again shifted the offices to Jammu division, indicating a possible revival of the practice. The Durbar Move— a 149-year-old practice abolished following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act of 2019, was widely criticized for its cancellation, especially by major political parties including the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Congress. Instituted by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872, the Durbar Move originally aimed to facilitate governance in both Srinagar and Jammu, capitalizing on each city’s favorable weather during summer and winter, respectively. The political parties however, argued that the shift’s discontinuation was harmful to the region’s cultural and economic diversity. The practice previously brought significant economic benefits to Jammu’s local business community each winter. Following recent administrative actions cancelling official housing allotments in both Srinagar and Jammu, many believed the Durbar Move had been permanently terminated. However, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with the council of ministers has once again shifted their offices to Jammu division for the winter season. Such a move is indicating the government’s move of reviving the traditional practice and the rousing reception to the government at Jammu was seemingly a joyous moment for the people there as they believe that the move will favour their economy again and will help them to grow yet again. It would be interesting to see whether the government will be making any decision in this regard soon or will continue to shift the offices without making the formal announcement.