Governance enters virtual mode!
Nasir Azam
Jammu Tawi, Apr 17 : Amid extension in lockdown announced by the Centre to control spread of deadly coronavirus, the Jammu & Kashmir government on Friday postponed the exercise of Darbar Move, even as it ordered that civil secretariat Srinagar will partially commence functioning from May 4. In a significant development, the government today announced postponing of Darbar Move exercise, citing extension in lockdown and spurt in COVID-19 cases. It justified deferring of the Darbar move, saying the exercise may affect COVID-19 control efforts.
This is for the first time since 1947 that bi-annual exercise of Darbar move has been postponed due to outbreak of a pandemic. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department today, Darbar Move offices will formally reopen in summer capital Srinagar on June 15 or earlier. The civil secretariat will partially function from Srinagar from May 4 with the officers/ staff on “as is here is basis” i.e. those who have already been or likely to get relocated before that date. The government also directed administrative secretaries to put in place a robust online/electronic/ videoconferencing and other communication mode at Jammu/ Srinagar to ensure a virtual office at both places. With this development, it has become clear that Lieutenant Governor, advisors, administrative secretaries, director general of police and other senior offices will function from winter capital Jammu till June 15.
The government has also ordered that officers' assigned COVID-19 duties shall continue to function from their present place of postings. As per 148-year-old practice, the civil secretariat and all other important offices of J&K function in Srinagar from May to October. These offices would function in Jammu from November to April.
