Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant reshuffling of its senior bureaucracy, with Shailendra Kumar being assigned the additional charge of Chief Secretary following the retirement of Atal Dulloo. This transition marks a new phase for the Union Territory’s administrative leadership, with further appointments and reassignments impacting key departments.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, made the announcement on Sunday, designating Shailendra Kumar, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, to oversee the crucial role of Chief Secretary. This interim arrangement will remain in effect until Sajjan Singh Yadav, who has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary, officially assumes his duties. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the transition aims to ensure continuity in governance during this period of change.
The outgoing Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, was accorded a warm farewell by the Jammu and Kashmir administration earlier on Sunday, marking the end of his tenure upon superannuation. His retirement paved the way for the current administrative adjustments.
Shailendra Kumar, a 1995-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, is currently at the helm of the Finance Department and also holds additional responsibilities as the administrative secretary for the Agriculture Production Department. His appointment to the Chief Secretary’s charge underscores his extensive experience and pivotal role within the UT’s administrative framework.
The Union Home Ministry had previously announced the appointment of Sajjan Singh Yadav as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on October 24. Prior to this appointment, Yadav, also a 1995-batch AGMUT cadre officer, was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Delhi government. His impending arrival signifies a new chapter for the Union Territory’s top administrative position.
In a parallel move, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration also ordered the transfer and reassignment of six other senior IAS officers, indicating a broader strategic realignment of administrative responsibilities. Among these, Shaleen Kabra, a 1992-batch officer, has been transferred from his position as Financial Commissioner of the Jal Shakti Department, where he also held additional charges for Revenue and other departments. Kabra has now been posted as the Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development.
Chandraker Bharti, a 1996-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, who was serving as the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) in the Home Department, has been assigned the additional charge of Financial Commissioner, Revenue. This dual responsibility will see him managing both critical portfolios concurrently, reflecting a consolidation of oversight in key governance areas.
M Raju, a 2005-batch AGMUT cadre officer, currently serving as the Commissioner Secretary of the General Administration Department, has been given the additional charge of the Administrative Secretary for the Estates Department. This move is expected to streamline operations within the Estates Department.
Saugat Biswas, a 2006-batch AGMUT cadre officer, who holds the position of Commissioner Secretary in the Health and Medical Education Department, will now also assume the additional charge of Administrative Secretary for the Jal Shakti Department. This cross-departmental assignment is likely aimed at enhancing synergy between these vital sectors.
Rehana Batul, an IAS officer from the 2010-batch of the AGMUT cadre, has been transferred from her role as Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development. She will now serve as the Commissioner Secretary to the Government in the Tribal Affairs Department, taking over the responsibilities from Avny Lavasa. This reassignment marks a shift in leadership for the Tribal Affairs Department.
Avny Lavasa, a 2013-batch AGMUT cadre officer and Secretary to the Government in the Tourism Department, has been divested of the additional charge of Administrative Secretary for the Tribal Affairs Department. She will now be responsible for the additional charge of Administrative Secretary for the Revenue Department, a role previously held by Shaleen Kabra. This adjustment in Lavasa’s portfolio aims to redistribute responsibilities within the revenue administration.
These administrative changes are indicative of the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s ongoing efforts to optimize governance and ensure efficient delivery of public services across various departments. The strategic reassignments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and renewed focus to the functioning of these key institutions.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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