Srinagar, Oct 20 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday ordered the annual Darbar Move of offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter season of 2026-27, with the offices scheduled to reopen in the winter capital on November 2.
According to a government order, offices observing a five-day week will close in Srinagar after office hours on October 30, while those following a six-day week will close on October 31.
Offices moving in camp mode will carry up to 33 per cent of their staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is lower, unless specified otherwise.
The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been directed to arrange an adequate number of buses in good condition to transport employees on October 31 and November 1. Tickets will be issued in advance from October 27.
The JKRTC will also ensure that each convoy is accompanied by a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshops to deal with any eventuality during the journey.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police will provide security to the convoys and ensure their precedence at the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel, the order said.
Employees moving with the offices will be paid a uniform special move travel allowance of Rs 25,000 each. The salary for October 2026 of employees working in the moving offices will be drawn on October 29.
The government has also directed the General Administration Department to establish a Winter Secretariat at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, with each department retaining one gazetted and four non-gazetted employees.
After reopening in Jammu, 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 located outside the Civil Secretariat and observing a six-day week will work from 10 am to 4.30 pm, the order said. (KNS)
