TAUSEEF AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Feb 20: In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle aimed at strengthening governance and streamlining administrative functioning, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday ordered the transfer and posting of 22 senior IAS and JKAS officers with immediate effect.
The transfers were formalised through Government Order No. 230-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department (All India Services Section), Civil Secretariat, J&K, in the interest of administration.
Key Appointments at the Top
Among the major changes, Ashwani Kumar (IAS, 1992 batch), who was awaiting adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department. He will also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Mining Department, until further orders.
Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma (IAS, 1994 batch), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Tourism Department, will now additionally hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.
In another important move, Shailendra Kumar (IAS, 1995 batch), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Agriculture Production Department, has been transferred and posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department — a crucial assignment given the UT’s fiscal priorities and developmental commitments.
M. Raju (IAS, 2005 batch), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, will hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, further consolidating administrative oversight in the vital health sector.
Ms. R. Alice Vaz (IAS, 2005 batch), who was awaiting orders of adjustment, has been appointed Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department. She will also hold additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Information Department.
Youth, Technology and Cooperative Sectors See Changes
Ms. Yasha Mudgal (IAS, 2007 batch), Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been transferred to head the Cooperatives Department.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (IAS, 2009 batch), Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department, has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department.
Dr. Piyush Singla (IAS, 2012 batch), Secretary, Information Technology Department, will additionally hold charge of Administrative Secretary, Public Grievances Department, relieving Naveen S. L. (IAS, 2012 batch) of the additional responsibility.
Ms. Babila Rakwal (JKAS), Commissioner/Secretary, Cooperatives Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department.
Changes in Mission and Registration Departments
Ms. Anjali Sehrawat (IAS, 2013 batch) has been appointed as Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, replacing Khurshid Ahmad Shah (JKAS), who will await further posting orders.
Ms. Nidhi Malik (IAS, 2013 batch), Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General, Registration, J&K. Bashir Ahmad Bhat (IRS, 2014 batch), who was holding the post, has been directed to await further orders.
Dr. Sagar D. Dattatray (IAS, 2014 batch), awaiting orders in the GAD, has been posted as Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir.
Owais Ahmed (IAS, 2014 batch) has been posted as Director, Skill Development, J&K, while continuing to hold additional charge as Special Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department.
Deputy Commissioners Reshuffled
The reshuffle also witnessed significant changes at the district level:
Ather Aamir Ul Shafi Khan (IAS, 2016 batch) has been transferred from Kulgam and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Budgam.
Kumar Abhishek (IAS, 2016 batch) has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.
Ankita Sagar (IAS, 2016 batch) has been appointed Managing Director, National Health Mission, J&K, and will also hold additional charge as Special Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department.
Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS, 2017 batch) has been transferred from Budgam and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
Minga Sherpa (IAS, 2017 batch) has been shifted from Baramulla to Udhampur as Deputy Commissioner.
Syed Fakhrudin Hamid (IAS, 2017 batch) has been transferred from Anantnag to Baramulla as Deputy Commissioner.
Harvinder Singh (IAS, 2019 batch) has been posted as Director, Employment, J&K, and will also hold additional charge as Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth and Mission Director, Mission YUVA.
Shahzad Alam (IAS, 2019 batch) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam.
Krishan Lal (JKAS), Special Secretary in the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda.
