Jammu, Dec 11 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that his government is firm about the Darbar Move as it is committed to restoring the bi-annual administrative tradition.
Interacting with members of Jammu’s civil society at his official residence on Wazarat Road, the Chief Minister reiterated that his government represents all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their political affiliations.
A similar interaction was held on October 30 with the civil society representatives in Kashmir.
The interaction was attended and addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.
Senior officials from the civil and police administration were also present during the outreach session.
Addressing concerns of regional bias, he 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.
“Some things cannot be weighed merely in financial terms. The Darbar Move symbolises the unity and inclusivity of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a tradition that ensures governance remains accessible to both regions,” said Abdullah.
He dismissed financial arguments against the 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.”
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of women’s organisations, non-governmental organisations, 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 percent 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.
Abdullah highlighted several key issues raised during the interaction and outlined his government’s commitment to addressing them.
He said the Smart City projects are nearing completion and there is no scope for his 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.
On the occasion, the civil society members hailed the initiative and termed it as a step towards transparent and inclusive governance. UNI VBH SSP