Srinagar: The J&K government will bring a resolution on Article 370 in the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly and restore the practice of ‘Darbar Move’, NC MLA and party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said on Thursday.
Tanvir Sadiq, an NC MLA from Srinagar’s Zadibal constituency and party spokesman, said today that the government will bring a resolution on Article 370 in the upcoming Assembly session and will also restore the practice of six-monthly shuttling top government offices between the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar.
J&K L-G Manoj Sinha has called a session of the Legislative Assembly on November 4.
What is Darbar Move
The Dogra Maharajas started the practice of Darbar Move, which was the bi-annual shift of the secretariat and all other government offices of Jammu and Kashmir from one capital city to another. It operated from 1872 until 2021 when the L-G administration abandoned it.
It was done to cut the huge costs of shifting top offices, including those of the chief minister, the council of ministers, the chief secretary, all other senior administrative officers, and the police headquarters between Srinagar and Jammu.
“The government also plans to revive the Darbar Move practice, benefiting Jammu traders. Whatever we have promised in the election manifesto will be fulfilled,” Sadiq said.
NC push for restoration of Article 370
Speaking to media persons, Tanvir Sadiq called the abrogation of Article 370 ‘unconstitutional’.
He hoped that opposition parties, including the BJP, would support the resolution on Article 370 in the Assembly.
Tanvir Sadiq alleged that the BJP was trying to divide Jammu and Kashmir by fuelling communal tensions for electoral gains.
“NC instead prioritises unity and inclusive representation. The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is currently in Delhi, engaging with ministers to address the people’s pressing issues. Omar Abdullah means business this time, and people will witness a sea of change,” he said.
Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated by Parliament on August 5, 2019, and the state was divided into two union territories: J&K and Ladakh.
NC made the restoration of Article 370 and statehood its main electoral plank.
NC won 42, BJP 29, Congress 6, PDP 3, CPI (M) 1, Aam Aadmi Party 1, Peoples Conference (PC) 1 and independents 7 seats in the assembly elections.
Six independent candidates later joined the NC, and Congress decided to support the NC government from outside. Congress said it would not join the government unless statehood is restored to J&K.
–IANS
