In a major administrative rejig, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered the transfers of 48 J-K Administrative Service (JKAS) officers -- a move that is likely to create a rumbling in the National Conference-led government in the Union Territory.
While the Omar Abdullah-led political government is at the helm of UT, this reshuffle at the highest level in state rung officers effected by the LG is seen by many as an attempt to take full control of the bureaucracy. Pertinently, it has always remained the prerogative of the political government’s cabinet in J&K in the past to order transfers and postings of the officials for more than just administrative reason.
The LG has ordered the transfer of 48 middle-rung JKAS officers, including 14 additional deputy commissioners and 26 sub-divisional magistrates.
The order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Tuesday came at a time when the elected government was waiting for a nod from the Union Home ministry for the business rules it framed about a month ago and sent to the lieutenant governor (LG) for approval to facilitate smooth governance without confusion.
Also read: JK Congress slams LG over transfer of 48 JKAS officers
In the run up to the much-awaited Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs last July amended the "transaction of business rules", enhancing the powers of the LG in matters related to police, public order, all-India services such as the IAS and IPS, and the granting of prosecution sanctions.
"Until we receive statehood, it is necessary to establish business rules for clarity. It took some time, but yesterday (March 5) at 8 pm, we convened a Cabinet meeting and finalised the business rules. They were approved by the Cabinet," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said while replying on the motion of thanks to the LG's address in the Assembly on March 6.
He also said the rules have been submitted to the LG for approval, and "we hope they will be approved".
Abdullah had earlier openly criticised the dual governance model in the Union Territory -- where he shares power with the LG -- as a "recipe for disaster".
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