here the state capital moves twice a year........

ROYAL HANGOVER OF WEATHER INDUCED SHIFTING OF STATE CAPITAL CONTINUES

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 24
The royal hangover of changing the state capital twice a year continues in the state. The government is all set to keep date with the historical “Darbar move” event tomorrow, in which the entire government machinery moves bi-annually to Srinagar in Summer and Jammu in Winter.

All government offices closed in Jammu today to reopen on May 5 in Srinagar, a state spokesman said here today. The move is unparalleled in the country and costs over 50 crore for each shifting.

It was started in 1872 by then ruler, Maharaj Gulab Singh. Harsh summer weather and the royal style of living was the main reason then.

Now, it is entirely political, mainly due to Kashmir issue and also due to controversy of alleged discrimination voiced by all regions. There were no Air conditioners as well as heaters now but now the government has all modern gadgets to keep functioning in any weather.

The shifting of the state capital continues despite protest voices against it by the state residents as well as financial experts. Crores and crores of rupees are spent twice a year for the exercise.

This too, in a state that largely depends on the Union Government for funds for majority of needs.

Moreover, funds shortage plagues the construction of road, augmenting power generation, supply and above all, generating employment opportunities for the youth, whose number is swelling rapidly. Already, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has told the youth to explore jobs in private companies also.

Over 100 trucks have been engaged for shifting the files and furniture. Each truck charges a fortune. Then, the offices that were lying closed in Sringar in last six months, needed renovation.

Around 7,000 employees, who get shifted, would be paid an amount of Rs 5,000 each as travelling allowance .

A recent report the state has over 250 unemployed doctors.
besides over 8000 unemployed. The report said there were also 540 agriculture, 150 forestry, 1337 ITI, 1090 B Ed and 100 M Ed unemployed youth in the state.

Moreover, the residents of both Jammu and Kashmir suffer for six months when the capital is shifted in either part. For any work related to the Secretariat, an individual ahs to travel more than 600 kms to and fro needs four days at least for the work.

Moves were mad ein the past to keep the capital at one place but met with strong protests from the other part. It is strange even in this age of computers and high speed exchange of information, the government cant run two secretariats.
EOM

courtesy: the tribune dated april 25