J&K HC hears Govt submissions with regard to Darbar Move, reserves order

Jammu : A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court comprising Chief Justice, Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal Wednesday heard the government submissions with regard to the issue of the impending Darbar Move during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir.
Additional Advocate General, Amit Gupta, on behalf of the Financial Commissioner, Finance Department placed a list of 151 Departments including Public Sector Undertakings and Statutory Corporations which are all involved in the Darbar Move.
AAG submitted that in view of recent hike in the number of COVID-19 cases and the need for effective control of the same, the Annual Darbar Move arrangements have been reviewed.
Gupta submitted that the Government has observed that the formal opening of the Darbar on 4th May 2020 as ordered vide Government Order dated 10th April 2020 may affect COVID-19 control efforts in the Union Territory.
“The said order has therefore been partially modified by an order dated 17th April 2020. The formal opening of the Darbar at Srinagar has been directed to take place on 15th June 2020.”
He further submitted the tentative seven days salary expenditure incurred by Government Departments of the Annual Darbar Move.
After hearing the government’s submission, the High Court reserved its order in the matter.