Extravaganza goes on, thanks to ‘Indispensability Syndrome’
Arvind Sharma/Jammu Tawi, Nov 15:
The Jammu Kashmir Administration could not yet prevail over the ‘Indispensability syndrome’ of deeply entrenched ‘Darbar Move’ extravaganza of their employees and officers. The campaign that started in April-May 2019 to dispense with the unique 149-year old practice of ‘Darbar Move’ in Jammu Kashmir still gives troubles to the Administration despite switching over to the much-acclaimed E-Office and having to restructure the men and material in the administrative offices.
Despite announcing the government proposal for discontinuance of ‘Darbar Move’ during the scheduled calendar from May 2019 onward, the ‘Darbar Move’ continued during 2020 and partially in May 2021 and that too at its full cost.
Given the official records and communications, though sustained efforts were put in place to dispense with the practice, finally the Administration has to fall back upon what has been otherwise going on so far.
‘Darbar Move’- though officially dispensed with, its ingredients, elements, perks and privileges continued and the extravaganza goes on. Among many elements of ‘Darbar Move’, things remained unchanged so far the move transfers, deputations, accommodations, payment of Move TA of Rs. 25000 for each Darbar Move Calendar to each government employee from Class-IV to the top boss of the state administration irrespective of whether they moved or not. Similarly, a Move Allowance of Rs. 3000 per month to all the employees without exception has been paid without break.
However, this time, the Administration in its order 1214-JK (GAD) dated 15.11.2021 has changed the nomenclature from Move TA (payable in each Darbar Move) to Special Allowance (payable for shifting in connection with official work) and has ordered payment of Rs. 25000 to each employee/official who shifts from Srinagar to Jammu in connection with official work on or after Oct 29, 2021. As happened in the past, the others would also be the beneficiary of the same gesture soon. It’s a matter of a couple of days to withstand the pressure.
Interestingly, during the tenure of GC Murmu, the then Lt Governor, the government while paying the ‘Move TA’ of Rs 25000 to each employee/officer, specifically mentioned in its order that- the payment is being paid only as a ‘one-time exception’ as a special case.
The calling of employees from Srinagar to Jammu is continuing piece-meal. After every couple of days, a new list comes up nominating the indispensable employees and officers for shifting to Jammu from Srinagar.
It may be mentioned that on June 20 this year, the LG had announced that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has completely transitioned to e-office, thereby ending the practice of the 149-year-old biannual ‘darbar move.’
“Now both the Jammu and Srinagar secretariats can function normally for 12 months. This will save the government Rs 200 crore per year, which will be used for the welfare of the deprived sections,” he had said.
It may also be mentioned here that after the announcement of LG the residential accommodations of government officials in the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar were also cancelled and the officials were asked to vacate their government quarters in Jammu and Srinagar within 21 days.
The Northlines had reported that after LG’s announcement around four hundred and fifty (450) officers working from the Srinagar secretariat were directed by the government to join their duties at Jammu civil secretariat.
It is to be informed that each employee moving under the darbar move practice is paid around Rs eighty-six thousand per year. As per details submitted by the GAD before the J&K High Court, the employees involved in Darbar Move included Civil Secretariat, Field Deptts., Boards/Corps, Judiciary, Legislature in 2018 and 2019 were 10580 & 10112 respectively. However, this number does not include Police and security officials involved, who also move with Darbar Move as security for the establishment, top echelons of bureaucracy/Police brass and other VIPs.
“Rs 50,000 per year i.e Rs 25,000 for one move (as Move TA) and Rs 3,000 per month i.e Rs 36,000 per year was paid to each employee moving to and fro from Jammu and Kashmir under the biannual darbar move practice in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir,” sources informed.
The name ‘Move TA’ is now Special Allowance for shifting to avoid embarrassment, they said, the majority of the officers who have been from Kashmir to join their duties at Jammu are Gazetted officers who move with grand paraphernalia and entitlements.
The Raj Bhavan, the civil secretariat and other major offices used to shuttle to the twin cities every six months, which used to cost the exchequer close to Rs 200 Crore.
The pertinent question is when the J&K Administration would come out of its appeasing hang-over even after writing the Obituary of this age-old ‘Darbar Move’.
