Srinagar, October 20, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the annual Darbar Move of offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter season 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 workweek will close in Srinagar after office hours on October 30, while those observing a six-day workweek will close on October 31, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
The government has directed that the offices listed in the order move to Jammu either in full or in camp, depending on the department.
Offices moving in camp will carry 33 per cent of their staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is less, unless specified otherwise.
The government has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) 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.
Each convoy will be accompanied by a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshops to address any breakdowns during the journey. The J&K Police will escort the convoys to their respective destinations and ensure precedence at the Banihal-Qazigund and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnels.
The Health and Medical Education Department has been asked to arrange medical aid facilities at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli on the days employees travel to Jammu.
Under the order, employees undertaking the move will be entitled to a uniform Special Move Travel Allowance of Rs 25,000. However, the allowance will not be payable to employees who fail to move within the prescribed period.
The government has also directed that October salaries of employees working in move offices be drawn on October 29. Eligible non-gazetted employees may apply for an advance salary, which will be recovered in instalments as per rules.
Five days of Special Casual Leave will be allowed to Kashmir-based employees undertaking the move. Other leave during or in continuation of the move period will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances.
Meanwhile, the General Administration Department will establish a Winter Secretariat at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to facilitate the functioning of the administration during the winter session. Departments have been asked to identify one gazetted and four non-gazetted employees to remain stationed there, subject to approval by the competent authority. Preference will be given to female employees and those with serious medical conditions, wherever feasible.
The Estates Department will arrange accommodation for employees moving to Jammu as per past practice, while the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department will ensure the availability of ration counters near residential colonies of employees.
The order also specifies that the Civil Secretariat and heads of departments located within its premises will function in Jammu from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Moving heads of departments located outside the Civil Secretariat and observing a six-day workweek will function from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
The order, issued by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government M. Raju, IAS, lists departments and offices that will move in full and those that will function in camp during the winter season. (KDC)
