Srinagar, Oct 22: Minister in the Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet, Satish Sharma, today said that the Government is working on restoring the tradition of the ‘Darbar Move,’ stressing that its halt has negatively impacted businesses in Jammu.
“Jammu needs the Darbar Move; the business sector in Jammu has suffered, and we are working to restore this tradition
Minister in the Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet, Satish Sharma, today said that the Government is working on restoring the tradition of the ‘Darbar Move,’ stressing that its halt has negatively impacted businesses in Jammu.
“Jammu needs the Darbar Move; the business sector in Jammu has suffered, and we are working to restore this tradition,” he told reporters at the conclusion of the J&K Science Congress-2024 here.
Sharma also announced that the monthly ration allocation in J&K would be increased in a phased manner based on public demand, eventually doubling the allocation.
At a separate event, he acknowledged that rectifying the issues that have accumulated over the past decade will take five years, but assured the public that the Government will work in line with their expectations.
“As per the Chief Minister’s directions, and in response to public demand, we will increase the ration allocation in phases,” he stated.
The Minister, who also holds several other portfolios including Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Youth Services & Sports and Transport, highlighted the challenges people have faced over the years and criticized the past decade as a period of total destruction. ”It will take five years to set things right,” he reiterated.
He added that a departmental review would be conducted soon to assess the needs of both the public and government employees.
“A review will be held shortly, after which we will sit down to understand the needs of the people, as well as the requirements of the employees and officers. We will work according to the public’s expectations, and all actions will be taken in their favour,” he said.
He also mentioned that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has instructed Ministers to work for the “greater good of Jammu and Kashmir.” He emphasized that the entire team, including the CM and Deputy CM, is committed to delivering results.
“I am optimistic about the future. With the team we have—be it the CM or the Deputy CM—we will deliver,” he added.
Expressing further optimism, Sharma urged Government officers to cooperate with the administration for the public good and warned that those responsible for inefficiencies would be dealt strictly.
“We will address any problems we find and take necessary action. Officers will have to mend their ways. Some teams are already investigating various issues, and soon, the public will see positive results and relief,” he said.
The Minister said that the representation given to the Jammu region in the new Government is unprecedented, a first in several decades.
Sharma emphasized that Omar has won the hearts of the people of Jammu by doing what had never been done for them before.
“This has happened for the first time. Jammu has never received such representation in the Government before. He (Omar) has won the hearts of the people of Jammu by appointing a Deputy Chief Minister from the region, with departments that directly deal with the public. The people of Jammu should be thankful to him,” Sharma said.
