A major bureaucratic reshuffle took place in Jammu & Kashmir on Friday even as the coalition Government took a slew of decisions to expedite developmental works in the embattled State. The PDP-BJP coalition led by Mufti Sayeed is completing half a year in office by the end of this month but a perceptible change is not visible on ground level, observers say.
They said to offset the impression, Mufti held two back-to-back Cabinet meetings on August 20 and 21. Several decisions with far-reaching consequences were taken in the Cabinet meetings.
Sources said 46 top-level bureaucrats were transferred. While farooq Ahmad Shah was appointed Secretary Tourism in addition to his responsibilities as Director and Managing Director of two premier wings of the tourism department, Shah Faesal was appointed as Director School Education.
Several top officials who had been dumped earlier have been accommodated with postings. Interestingly, Director Information Munirul Islam was removed from the post after serving for five months only.
He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner Anantnag. The Government also appointed noted academician and former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Amitabh Mattoo as Advisor to the Chief Minister with the status of a Cabinet Minister.