Ensure availability in Jammu Civil Sectt from Nov 11: J&K Govt to Admin Secys, UT level HoDs

Jammu, Oct 23: The J&K government Wednesday directed all the Administrative Secretaries and Union Territory (UT)-level Heads of Departments (HoDs) to “ensure their availability at Civil Secretariat, Jammu with effect from November 11, 2024.”

However, they will attend the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, as per the functional requirement, that has been specified. The government has also ordered that the Estates Department, “upon requisition by the concerned Administrative Departments”, will provide “accommodation to the officers or officials, as per requirement.”

These directions formed part of an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), for “effective and efficient conduct of official business at the Civil Secretariat.”

“The arrangements about the availability of staff of Administrative Departments of Civil Secretariat shall be determined by the respective Departments,” read the GAD order.

A simple or more appropriately a routine administrative order, however, in the changed circumstances led to a fresh round of speculations this evening.

Many conjectured it was a “partial Darbar Move” amid “loud talks about its (Darbar Move’s) resumption as a part of current ruling dispensation’s election manifesto.”

Conjectures were based on certain statements and reports quoting some senior leaders (including ministers) of the National Conference, Congress and even independent MLAs, who formed part of the ruling dispensation.

The promise of the restoration of the “Darbar Move” exercise was part of the election manifestos of both the National Conference as well as Congress, both pre-election alliance partners. Congress, though, has not joined the government as of now due to its own predicament, yet has remained stuck to its promise vis-a-vis Darbar Move.

Just a couple of days ago, newspaper reports, quoting an anonymous senior NC leader, mentioned that the Government would deliberate and bring an order regarding the resumption of Darbar Move in the next cabinet meeting.

Administrative directive of the General Administrative Department (Order No 1822-JK (GAD) of 2024 dated October 23, 2024) issued on Wednesday evening regarding “Availability of senior officers for the functioning of Civil Secretariat at Jammu” was “read” by many in this context.

However, Greater Kashmir found this “reading” as misplaced, for the reason that the GAD order issued on Wednesday was almost a replica of the “Government Order No 978-JK (GAD) of 2024, dated April 27, 2024” regarding “Availability of staff at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar and Jammu.”

One difference was that the order issued on April 27, 2024, had specifically mentioned, “For effective and efficient conduct of official business at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar and Jammu, it is hereby ordered that the Civil Secretariat shall continue to remain functional at both places and the Administrative Secretaries shall ensure arrangements for smooth functioning of offices at both places viz., Srinagar and Jammu.”

This direction did not form part of the October 23, 2024 order.

“Administrative Secretaries shall ensure their availability at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar with effect from May 1, 2024. However, they will attend the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, as per the functional requirement,” The order issued on April 27 had read as that time it was a “summer move.”

Except for one or two extra expressions, the April 27, 2024 order also had the same language (directions) as were there in the October 23, 2024 order.

“The arrangements about the availability of staff of Administrative Departments of Civil Secretariat shall be determined by the respective Departments, ensuring smooth conduct of official business at both places, with the bare minimum shifting of staff. The Estates Department, upon requisition by the concerned Administrative Departments, shall provide accommodation to the officers or officials, as per requirement, only where necessary,” the April 27 order had read.