CM Omar Abdullah Sets Six-Month Governance Agenda as Darbar Returns to Srinagar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, outlining a governance roadmap for the next six months following the formal reopening of offices under the Darbar Move after several years.

The meeting, held soon after the return of the Civil Secretariat to the summer capital, focused on execution, coordination and timely delivery of development programmes, with emphasis on optimal utilisation of resources and implementation of budget commitments.

Describing the return of the Darbar Move to Srinagar as a significant administrative milestone, the Chief Minister said the transition had been managed more effectively this time due to advance planning and coordination among departments. He noted that the next six months would be crucial for governance delivery, given favourable weather conditions for developmental works.

Highlighting key priorities, Abdullah said the period coincides with the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra and the peak tourism season, requiring strengthened coordination between civil administration and security agencies to ensure smooth arrangements. He stressed that governance outcomes during this period would be critical for public satisfaction.

Calling for enhanced inter-departmental coordination, the Chief Minister urged officials and elected representatives to work collectively within available resources, while also leveraging central assistance and new funding avenues to improve service delivery.

He further said that the government now has a defined set of commitments following the recent Budget session and called for timely execution of projects and efficient utilisation of allocated funds.

During the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers, the Chief Secretary, administrative secretaries and senior police officers provided inputs on governance priorities and departmental preparedness.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo briefed the meeting on administrative arrangements, including officer deployment between Srinagar and Jammu, and stressed the need for priority arrangements for Move employees, essential services, and food supplies. He also reviewed preparedness for flood management ahead of the monsoon season and called for heightened vigilance in landslide-prone areas.

Dulloo emphasised the need for expediting infrastructure restoration works, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and water supply, and accelerating implementation of cabinet decisions taken over the past one and a half years. He also highlighted upcoming administrative tasks, including the Census process beginning with self-enumeration from May 17 to May 30, and urged departments to support digitisation of land records as a governance reform measure.

The Chief Secretary reiterated the administration’s commitment to coordinated governance and effective delivery during the six-month Darbar period in Srinagar under the leadership of the Chief Minister.