JK to digitise records to reduce Darbar Move expenditure

Srinagar, Dec 24: In a bid to save money spent on shifting official files, the government is going to digitise the official records in the twin civil secretariats.
Every year, the state spends Rs 100 crore on biannual Durbar move practice.
A major chunk of the amount is utilised on shifting the official files, records, and documents.
In order to avoid transportation of large number of computers and other electronic equipments and files with each Darbar move, the government has decided to digitise the official records at both the civil secretariats.
Around Rs 20 crore has been provided for purchase of hardware and software for the civil secretariats.
“It has been decided that computer infrastructure for Jammu will remain stationed at Jammu and the same will be left at Srinagar while Durbar moving to Jammu. Funds have also been released for digitisation of official records,” an official of Finance Department said.
The Durbar move is a ritual of shifting the civil secretariat every six months from one capital city to the other.
An official of Science and Technology Department said that crores were being spent every six months on the shifting of files, which can easily be saved through digitalisation.
“All departments are packing records in boxes after the working hours on the last working day after six months in Srinagar then in Jammu,” the official added.
The records comprise thousands of official files, documents and records, which can be digitalized, he added.
An official of State Roads and Transport Corporation said they had deployed 150 trucks and 40 buses for the Durbar move for shifting of records from Srinagar to Jammu.
“Over two hundred private vehicles were also hired,” the official added.
Dogra ruler Maharaja Ranbir Singh had started the practice of Durbar move in 1,872 to escape the harsh winters of Kashmir and the scorching summer of Jammu.
Every year in October-November, the Durbar moves to Jammu from Srinagar and in April-May, it shifts to Srinagar.
The records’ convoy and employees leave separately and are escorted by police teams.