Darbar move offices re-open in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 8: Amid stringent security arrangements, the biannual 'darbar move' offices, including the Civil Secretariat, re-opened here today after functioning in Jammu and Kashmir's winter capital for six months.

The Civil Secretariat and other related offices had closed for the 'darbar move' in the winter capital of Jammu on April 29.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad attended the office here for the first time after assuming office.

Immediately after being sworn-in as the tenth Chief Minister of the state on November two last year, Mr Azad had to move to Jammu as the offices had already shifted to the winter capital.

The Chief Minister was presented a guard of honour at the Civil Secretariat here at 1000 hrs.

The 'darbar move' practice between the two state capitals -- Srinagar for six summer months and Jammu for six winter months -- was started in 1872 during Maharaja Ranbir Singh's tenure.

Nearly ten thousand government officers and employees have moved to Srinagar for the next six months.

The State Road transport Corporation (JKSRTC) had provided trucks and buses for shifting the records and transporting officials from Jammu to Srinagar respectively.

The Civil Secretariat, which houses the offices of the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and other top bureaucrats, is the nerve centre of the official activities.

The administration had made elaborate arrangements for better traffic regulation and removal of various road bottle-necks in the Srinagar city.

The authorities have deployed a heavy posse of Jammu and Kashmir police and security personnel in the city. The police and security personnel were seen thoroughly checking the vehicles, passengers and the pedestrians at several points in the summer capital.

Additional forces have been mobilised to maintain tight vigil and to ensure smooth and trouble-free shifting of the Civil Secretariat.

The security forces have properly sanitised hotels and the guest houses, where the migrant officials have been lodged. Security has also been further beefed up at these places.

The security along the route to be taken by the vehicles carrying 'darbar move' employees daily has also been upgraded.

Security drills had been carried out to test the alertness of the troops, officials said, adding special emphasis was given to preventing suicide attackers, particularly car bombers, from breaching the heavy security, they added.

Barriers and road blocks have been set up outside as well as inside the Civil Secretariat to ensure that no one barged into the high-security complex, the officials said.

The administration had already undertaken a beautification drive in Srinagar city and its outskirts.

UNI