Reshuffle ruffles feathers of Jamp;K bureaucracy

JAMMU, JUNE 19: The recent cabinet expansion and the bureaucratic reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir appears to have not only annoyed many withi...

JAMMU, JUNE 19: The recent cabinet expansion and the bureaucratic reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir appears to have not only annoyed many within the ruling National Conference, but also conferred plum postings to a number of controversial officials in the sensitive border state.

Substantiating, official sources said the new Additional Chief Secretary Transport S D Singh, was unceremoniously removed as Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank on charges of irregularities into the issuance of bank loans. The new Deputy Commissioner of Kathua Chaman Lal, was caught red-handed by the Vigilance Organisation and huge amount of cash was recovered from him at Srinagar.

Not only this, the post of Director General of Tourism has been restored to Mohammad Ashraf, from where he was earlier removed unceremoniously by the then Tourism Minister Ajatshatru Singh, on the charge of misleading the State Legislative Council in written reply to a question. Now, in the cabinet and bureaucratic reshuffle, while the controversialofficial has been restored his previous position, Ajatshatru Singh has been divested of the Tourism portfolio.

Similarly, the new Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department G D Wadhwa, was attached with the General Administration Department following complaints of irregularities into various rural development works, while the Secretary Human Rights Mohammad Amin, was unceremoniously removed as Labour Commissioner on charges of irregularities into various appointments. G N Mir, who was also also attached with the General Administratuion Department, has now been posted as DC Central.

Besides Ajatshatru, the former Food, Supplies and Transport Minister B A Kitchloo is the another cabinet minister, whose wings have been clipped by the Chief Minister. He has been divested of the Food and Supplies portfolio, whose independent charge has been given to the Minister of State Ajay Sadhotra. Similarly, the former Health and Medical Education Minister Dr Mustafa Kamal, has been relieved of the Health andFamily Welfare portfolio, whose independent charge has been given to Minister of State Govind Ram.