‘All-time low’: Just 4 Kashmiri officers admin secretaries in current bureaucratic set-up

Srinagar: In a matter of grave concern, the representation of Kashmiri officers in key decision-making processes has come down to an all-time low as only four of them are administrative secretaries in the current bureaucratic set-up of J&K Union Territory.

Details available with Kashmir News Observer reveal that only four officers from Kashmir Valley – two IAS and two KAS officers – are presently administrative heads of government departments.

Of them, two are heading ‘significant’ departments while the other two are helming departments considered ‘not-so-important’.

The local officers holding positions of administrative secretaries are Asgar Samoon (Principal Secretary, School Education department), Sarmad Hafeez( In-charge administrative secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department), Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad (Commissioner Secretary, Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens) and Zubair Ahmad( Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture).

A senior official, on the condition of anonymity, told KNO that halt on induction and retirement of several local officers in the past 4-5 years is responsible for diminishing representation of Kashmir in top bureaucracy.

“There has been no induction of local officers in IAS for past 7- 8 years. More than 20 local officers who were holding key positions have attained superannuation in these years,” he said.

The official further said the government could address the problem by posting KAS officers as administrative secretaries.

“At present, many IAS officers are holding additional charges of one or more departments. This is affecting governance. This issue can be addressed by posting KAS officers as administrative secretaries,” he said, adding that posting KAS officers at key slots would not only help in doing away with the menace of adhocism but would also boost the morale of local officers. KNO