Vacate official houses, J&K ‘darbar move’ staff told

Jammu, June 30

The J&K administration on Wednesday cancelled residential accommodation of ‘darbar move’ employees in Jammu and Srinagar, days after Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha announced an end to the age-old practice.

The officials have been asked to vacate their quarters in the twin capital cities within 21 days. Sinha had on June 20 announced that the administration had completely transitioned to e-office, thereby ending the practice of the bi-annual ‘darbar move’.

“This will save the government Rs 200 crore per year, which will be used for the welfare of the deprived sections,” he had said. An order issued by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Estates Department, said the sanction had been accorded for the cancellation of allotment of residential accommodation of officials in Srinagar and Jammu. Employees from Jammu had been allotted residential accommodation in Srinagar and those from Srinagar in Jammu.

The ‘darbar move’ was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872. — PTI