DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Jammu, jULY 19
Gurmeet Singh, President of Beopar Mandal and General Secretary of JKPCC, stated that the Congress Party feels vindicated following the cancellation of the Darbar Move, which has severely impacted hoteliers and the business community in both Jammu and Kashmir. This annual practice, where the capital and necessary offices of Jammu and Kashmir shifted between Srinagar and Jammu every six months, was a significant source of economic activity. Initiated by Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1862, the Darbar Move helped mitigate the harsh winters in Srinagar and the intense summers in Jammu.
Singh highlighted that the unexpected cancellation by the BJP government has deprived many of their livelihoods, pushing them towards economic backwardness. The process, though complex and involving the transfer of government employees and their families along with office files and records, significantly benefitted the local economies. The abrupt end of this practice, aimed at controlling expenses, has instead resulted in higher costs and widespread economic losses.
Expressing serious concern, Singh noted the substantial losses faced by hoteliers and other businesses reliant on the influx of government employees and their families. He reiterated the Congress Party’s support for the restoration of the Darbar Move, emphasizing its importance for safeguarding the economies of both Jammu and Kashmir. Singh also cautioned the BJP government about the rising unrest among the business community and the adverse effects of policies perceived as aimed at directly ruling J&K, further exacerbating the region’s economic woes. The Congress Party remains steadfast in its demand for the annual Darbar Move’s restoration, advocating for the economic stability and dignity of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
