Riyaz Ul Khaliq
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Following the upcoming visit of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to Jammu and Kashmir, the traditional Durbar move has been put on ‘standstill’ mode.
Top official sources disclosed to Kashmir Life early Thursday morning that a high level administrative meeting decided Wednesday evening that all offices shall remain open in summer capital till PM Modi raps his Kashmir visit.
PM Modi is scheduled to visit J&K on November 07.
“Chief Secretary headed meeting last late evening directed that offices shall continue working in Srinagar till PM Modi is in Kashmir,” an official source said.
PM Modi shall be inaugurating Hydro-Power generating Baglihar-II after which he is scheduled to visit Kashmir valley. Reports suggest that PM Modi might announce the much hyped economic package to flood devastated Jammu and Kashmir during his this visit.
“Chief Secretary directed all officials to be in Srinagar as PM Modi might ask for some clarifications on some important governance issues,” the source said, “so, it was decided to stay put here only.”
Earlier, the government had decided that the move offices shall close on 31 October and traffic police had announced one-way traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway for three consecutive days. “Keeping in view the timing of Durbar move, many officials from Jammu region have already moved to winter capital,” the source, wishing anonymity, disclosed.
Durbar move which is a tradition set by autocrat Dogra rulers in early 20th century transports the seat of governance to Srinagar in Summers and then to Jammu in winters. The moving of offices to and fro to two capital cities of J&K involves huge resources both, monetarily and manually. Many voices have been raised against the annual move, however, there has been no change in it, yet.
However, Planning and Development, Finance, PDD, Relief and Rehabilitation, Home, Revenue, Hospitality and Protocol, Information, Estates, R&B, Irrigation and Flood Control and Health departments will remain open in Srinagar.
