Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said Jammu’s uniqueness will not be allowed to diminish and asserted that his government will restore Darbar move.
He made these assertions during an interaction with members of Jammu’s civil society at his official residence on Wazarat Road. This marks his first meeting with Jammu’s civil society since assuming office as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, an official press release informed.
A similar interaction was held on October 30 this year with civil society representatives in Kashmir.
Addressing concerns of alleged regional bias, Omar Abdullah stated, “This government is not just for those who voted for the National Conference; it is the government of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite attempts by some to play with emotions of Jammu after the elections and harping on the issue of regional divide, we have consistently prioritized inclusivity and equity.”
The Chief Minister highlighted his deliberate decision to appoint a Deputy Chief Minister from Jammu, not out of compulsion but to underscore that Jammu is as integral to this government as Kashmir.
Addressing the concerns about the Darbar move, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restore this biannual administrative tradition.
Darbar move, an age-old practice under which the civil secretariat and other government offices used to function six months each in Srinagar and Jammu during summer and winter, respectively, introduced by Dogra rulers nearly 150 years ago, was stopped by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in June 2021, citing administration’s complete transition to e-office which could help save Rs 200 crore per year.
However, the decision came up for sharp criticism from various quarters including the Jammu business community.
“Some things cannot be weighed merely in financial terms. The Darbar move symbolizes the unity and inclusivity of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a tradition that ensures governance remains accessible to both regions.”
He dismissed financial arguments against this 150 year old practice which has now been stopped, stating, “The role of the government is not to focus solely on profit. Our responsibility is to serve and ensure balanced development across regions. Ending the Darbar move would only alienate the people of the two regions from one another and harm the collective unity we strive to preserve.”
According to the official press release, the event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of women’s organizations, non-governmental organizations, ex-servicemen, Kashmiri Pandits, traders, hoteliers, tourism players, transport associations, religious leaders, pensioners, senior folk singers, Sikh representatives, RTI activists, and leaders from various political parties.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over Jammu’s limited share of the burgeoning tourism industry and laid out plans to diversify the region’s economy.
“Over one crore pilgrims visit Mata Vaishno Devi annually, but we have yet to tap into even 15% of this potential to promote tourism in Jammu. If we can redirect a fraction of these pilgrims, Jammu’s economy can transform,” he noted.
He announced plans to establish a craft & culture fair modeled on the Surajkund Mela, to showcase the region’s rich heritage and boost tourism. The initiative will involve collaboration between industries, farmers, cultural representatives, and tourism stakeholders, he stated.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted several key issues raised during the interaction and outlined his government’s commitment to addressing them.
He said that Smart City projects are nearing completion and there is no scope for this government to do any course correction but we shall take new initiatives for Jammu and Srinagar, which aim to modernize the city’s infrastructure and enhance its livability.
The government, he said, will resolve the shortage of Punjabi teachers in schools catering to Sikh children and address some of their genuine concerns.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Chief Minister stated, “While their return depends on restoring a sense of security among the community, we are committed to improving their living conditions and addressing their grievances.”
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for regular dialogue with civil society to maintain a pulse on ground realities. Unlike in the past, when such meetings were convened only during crises, he committed to holding biannual interactions—twice each in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our goal is to maintain a continuous dialogue with you. By our next meeting, we will present an action-taken report outlining the progress on issues discussed today,” he assured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked the participants for accepting his invitation, emphasizing the significance of such meetings for the government authorities to receive valuable feedback from outside four walls of their offices.
“Whether you benefit from these meetings or not, my colleagues and I certainly do. These interactions provide us with an opportunity to hear your thoughts on our work and governance directly,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable insights and suggestions.
“Your feedback and ground realities help us improve our governance. I hope that when we meet again, you will continue to provide your constructive input to guide us in serving Jammu and Kashmir better,” he said.
On the occasion, the civil society members hailed the initiative and termed it as a step towards transparent and inclusive governance, and said the much needed interaction has set the tone for fostering stronger ties between the government and the people it serves.
