Govt Restores ‘Darbar Move’; Employees To Get Rs 25,000 Special TA, Salary To Be Drawn On Oct 31
Srinagar, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday announced the restoration of the historic ‘Darbar Move’ tradition, nearly four years after it was discontinued in 2021.
According to the official order, “The offices, as indicated at Annexures ‘A’ and ‘B’, shall move to Jammu, ‘In Full’ and ‘In Camp’ respectively for the Winter Season 2025-26. Offices observing a five-day week will close at Srinagar on October 31, 2025 (Friday) after office hours, while offices observing a six-day week will close on November 1, 2025 (Saturday) after office hours.”
All offices will reopen in Jammu on Monday, November 3, as per the order.
For offices moving in camp, only 33% of staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is less, will be required, unless specifically instructed otherwise.
The JKRTC has been directed to ensure an adequate number of buses in good condition for employee transport on November 1 and 2. Tickets will be issued in advance from October 27, 2025, at the Civil Secretariat and main JKRTC booking counters. Each convoy will be accompanied by one crane and two empty buses to prevent inconvenience due to breakdowns.
The Health & Medical Education Department has been asked to provide medical aid facilities at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur, and Jhajjar Kotli during the employee travel from Srinagar to Jammu. Administrative Secretaries of the Health Department will coordinate with Kashmir and Jammu divisions to implement this.
“No moving employee shall occupy any government, municipal, or residential accommodation without proper allotment,” the order states. However, employees may retain government accommodation at Srinagar for family use, under intimation to the Estates Department and approved terms.
The Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department will ensure that ration counters are available near residential colonies of moving employees in Jammu to maintain adequate supplies.
The government has also sanctioned special move TA of Rs 25,000 per employee. This will not be payable to employees who fail to move within the prescribed dates. Non-Gazetted employees may apply for advance pay, which will be recoverable in instalments according to rules.
Additionally, salaries for October 2025 for all employees in move offices will be disbursed on October 31, 2025.
“No leave will be granted in combination with move days except under exceptional circumstances,” the order adds. Administrative Secretaries may approve any leave only in extraordinary cases. However, five days of special casual leave will be granted to Kashmir-based employees and those without accommodation in Jammu who wish to avail it.
(GNS)