The Durbar Move practice has yielded nothing but has become an entertainment and tour-like tradition for the bureaucrats and employees. One region keeps waiting for the Durbar to come for its official work and grievance redressal. Though no official information is released, ever, the estimates are that the temporary beautification of the twin capitals and the Durbar movement costs more than Rs 200 crore twice a year, and the burden is laid on the exchequers. Time-wise, eight weeks are wasted yearly, which means a further loss of the government finances. The time and money wasted on this movement can be utilized elsewhere to provide ‘good governance’ to the people.
There is a dire need to rethink about the Durbar Movement and probably, bifurcation of the offices between the two capitals is a solution in the interest of the state. Technological advancement in communication and travelling can be used to fill the gap between the different regions of the state. The PDP-BJP coalition government was expected to do something about it, but the fear that it would increase the feeling of alienation between the Muslim-dominated Kashmir and Hindu-abundant Jammu may not let that happen in real.
waliaharry 