In a significant move, the Omar Abdullah-led government has carried out the first major administrative reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes amid signs of strain over power-sharing with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who controls the key levers of power.
The reshuffle, seen as a step towards asserting authority by the elected government, comes amidst rising demands for restoring statehood.
In one of the key appointments, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, formerly Director of Handloom and Handicrafts, Kashmir, has been appointed Managing Director of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited.
Nisar Ahmad Wani, previously awaiting posting orders, has been assigned as a Member of the J&K Special Tribunal (Srinagar Bench) while Dr Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission, has been appointed as Director of School Education, Kashmir, signalling a renewed focus on education reform.
In related moves, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Special Secretary in the Housing and Urban Development Department, has been transferred to the School Education Department as Special Secretary. Similarly, Mussarat-ul-Islam, previously Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation, has been reassigned as Director of Handloom and Handicrafts, Kashmir.
The reshuffle also prioritises tourism and land management. Vikas Gupta, Special Secretary in the Disaster Management Department, is now Director of Tourism, Jammu and Kanta Devi, formerly with the School Education Department, has been posted as Regional Director of Survey and Land Records, Jammu.
Other notable appointments include Syed Qamar Sajad as Managing Director of J&K Cable Car Corporation and Khurshid Ahmad Shah as Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission. Anju Gupta has been moved to Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, while Tassaduq Hussain Mir, formerly Director of School Education, Kashmir, has been posted as Special Secretary in ARI and Trainings Department.
The government has also focused on tourism management by appointing Masarat Hashim as CEO of Pahalgam Tourism Development Authority and Tariq Hussain as CEO of Gulmarg Tourism Development Authority. These changes highlight the administration’s commitment to leveraging the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir.
Qazi Irfan Rasool Zargar has been named Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir and Mohammad Aslam has taken over as Registrar-cum-Controller of Examinations at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science(SKIMS).
Reshuffle spanning various critical departments, including education, transport, tourism, and urban development, demonstrates the government’s intent to project power and deliver on its commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
