Associated News Bureau

J&K Darbar Move: Government Offices to Shift from Srinagar to Jammu from November 2

SRINAGAR, October 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the annual Darbar Move of government offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter session of 2026–27, with offices scheduled to reopen in Jammu on November 2. According to Government Order No. 1664-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on October 19, offices observing a five-day working week will close in Srinagar after office hours on October 30, while those following a six-day working week will close on October 31. The order specifies that designated offices listed in the annexures will move to Jammu in full, while others will operate with a limited staff strength under the camp arrangement. Under the prescribed guidelines, offices moving in camp will deploy 33 per cent of their staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is less, unless otherwise specified. Transport and Security Arrangements The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been directed to arrange sufficient buses in good condition to transport employees on October 31 and November 1. Advance ticket booking will begin on October 27 at the Civil Secretariat and JKRTC's main booking counters. To ensure uninterrupted travel, each convoy will be accompanied by a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshop facilities to address vehicle breakdowns en route. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will provide escort to employee convoys throughout the journey and ensure priority passage through the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel. The Health and Medical Education Department will establish medical aid facilities at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli on the days employees travel from Srinagar to Jammu. Financial and Accommodation Provisions The government has fixed Special Move Travel Allowance at ₹25,000 per eligible employee. However, employees who fail to move before or within the prescribed deadline will not be entitled to the allowance. Non-gazetted employees undertaking the move may also apply for an advance salary payment, which will be recovered in instalments in accordance with the rules. The October 2026 salary of employees working in moving offices will be drawn on October 29. The Estates Department has been directed to provide accommodation to officers and officials shifting to Jammu in accordance with established practice. Employees will not be permitted to occupy government, estate, municipal or residential accommodation without a proper allotment order. Employees may retain government accommodation allotted to them in Srinagar for the genuine use of their families, subject to informing the Estates Department and complying with the approved terms and conditions. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department will establish ration counters at suitable locations near residential colonies of employees in Jammu to ensure an adequate supply of essential commodities. Five-Day Special Casual Leave The order states that leave will generally not be permitted in combination with or immediately following the Darbar Move days, except under exceptional circumstances, with approval from the concerned Administrative Secretaries. However, Kashmir-based employees participating in the move will be eligible for five days of Special Casual Leave, if they wish to avail themselves of the facility. The grant of this leave will not be linked to the availability of accommodation in Jammu. Winter Secretariat in Srinagar The General Administration Department will establish a Winter Secretariat at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to maintain administrative functioning during the winter session. Departments have been directed to identify one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officials each to remain at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, subject to approval by the competent authority. Preference will be given to female employees and those with serious medical conditions, wherever feasible. Each department must also identify a room at the Civil Secretariat for its retained staff and submit the relevant details to the General Administration Department for necessary allotment orders. Departments have further been instructed to detach staff members deployed from subordinate offices in the Kashmir Division by October 27. Temporary identity cards issued to such staff will be withdrawn before the offices close in Srinagar. Office Timings in Jammu Following the reopening on November 2, the Civil Secretariat and Heads of Departments located within its premises will function from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Moving Heads of Departments situated outside the Civil Secretariat and observing a six-day working week will operate from 10 am to 4:30 pm. The government order also lists departments and offices that will shift to Jammu in full and those that will function under the camp arrangement, with staffing provisions specified for certain institutions. The order has been issued by the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department under the authority of the government. ANB