Srinagar, Oct 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the annual Darbar Move of government offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter season of 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 week will close in Srinagar after office hours on October 30, while those observing a six-day week will close on October 31.
The order states that offices listed under Annexure A will move to Jammu in full, while those listed under Annexure B will operate in camp mode with limited staff.
Offices moving in camp will carry 33 percent of their staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is less, unless otherwise specified.
Rs 25,000 Special Move Allowance
The government has fixed a uniform Special Move Travelling Allowance of Rs 25,000 for each employee moving to Jammu. The allowance will not be payable to employees who fail to move before or within the prescribed date.
Non-gazetted employees moving to Jammu may also apply for advance pay, which will be recovered in instalments as per rules. Salaries for October 2026 of employees working in move offices will be drawn on October 29.
The order further states that leave will not ordinarily be allowed in combination with or in continuation of the move days, except in very exceptional circumstances. Five days of Special Casual Leave will, however, be available to Kashmir-based employees who wish to avail it.
Winter Secretariat to Function in Srinagar
The General Administration Department will establish a Winter Secretariat at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to ensure the continued functioning of the administration during the winter session.
Each administrative department has been asked to identify one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officials to remain in Srinagar, subject to prior approval from the competent authority. Departments have been directed to give preference, wherever feasible, to female employees and those with serious medical conditions.
The order also directs administrative departments to detach staff posted from subordinate offices in Kashmir Division by October 27.
Transport, Security and Medical Arrangements
The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been directed 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 workshop facilities to address breakdowns en route. J&K Police will escort the convoys to their respective destinations and ensure precedence at the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel.
The Health and Medical Education Department will arrange medical aid facilities at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli on the days employees travel from Srinagar to Jammu.
The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has also been directed to establish ration counters at suitable locations near residential colonies of employees in Jammu.
Office Timings in Jammu
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 premises and observing a six-day week will function from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
The Estates Department will provide accommodation to officers and officials moving with the Darbar Move as per past practice. Employees will not be permitted to occupy government, municipal or other residential accommodation without a proper allotment order.
