Srinagar: In a first major reshuffle in administrative setup, Jammu and Kashmir’s newly appointed Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha has transferred and posted seven IAS officers.

Dr Pawan Kotwal, (IAS, 1994 batch), Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, has been deployed as Administrative Coordinator for all non- treatment-related activities at hospitals in Jammu. As per the order, he will supervise the administrative functioning of the hospitals in Jammu, coordinate and resolve all medical supply issues including oxygen supplies and oversee manpower and HR issues.

His deployment assumes significance in view of the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is consistently reporting a large number of Covid-19 patients almost every day. Dr Kotwal will also resolve issues relating to hospital beds, doctor’s availability and that of ambulances.

Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, another IAS officer, will assist Dr Kotwal. Shah is currently Additional Secretary, Finance Department. He is holding additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth and Chief Executive Officer, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency.

Bipul Pathak (IAS, 1992 batch) has been posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department. He shall also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Social Welfare Department and continue to hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA.

Currently he is Principal Secretary to the Government, Information Technology Department, holding additional charge of Principal Secretary to the Government, Science & Technology Department, CEO, JaKeGA and CEO, JAKEDA.

Shailendra Kumar (IAS: 1995) has been appointed Principal Secretary to the Government, Public Works (R&B) Department. Currently, he is Principal Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department, and is holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R8&B) Department and Tribal Affairs Department.

M Raju (IAS: 2005) is new Secretary to the Jal Shakti Department with additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Estates and Civil Aviation Departments. Currently, he is Secretary, Planning, Development and  Monitoring Department, and is holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol, Estates, Civil Aviation and Jal Shakti Department.

Simrandeep Singh (IAS: 2008) has been transferred as Administrative Secretary, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, holding additional charge Administrative Secretary, Department of Food, Civil of Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Secretary, Public Grievances, and shall also  hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Information Technology Department and Chief Executive Officer, JaKeGA, in addition to his own duties.

Sarmad Hafeez (IAS: 2009), Administrative Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department, shall also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Tourism and Culture Departments.

 Zubair Ahmad, KAS officer, has been transferred as Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, relieving Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, IAS, of the additional charge of the post.

 Rukhsana Gani, another KAS officer, posted as Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and protocol Department, shall also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, ARI and Training Department. Similarly, Rehana Batul, a KAS officer, has been transferred as Administrative Secretary, Tribal affairs Department.