Jammu & Kashmir: In response to the evolving security situation along the Indo-Pak border, particularly in the Jammu and Kashmir region, the Union Territory (UT) Government has appointed 12 senior officers – comprising IAS, IFS, and JKAS officials – as District Mentors to strengthen administrative oversight and preparedness across the region.
The appointments come amid growing tension along the western border, prompting the government to deploy experienced bureaucrats to ensure robust governance, crisis response, and inter-departmental coordination at the district level.
Key Administrative Moves
Of the 12 newly appointed District Mentors, nine are Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, one belongs to the Indian Forest Service (IFS), and two are officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS). Their roles will involve direct mentorship of district-level administration, review of developmental and security-related issues, and facilitation of effective communication between the UT Government and local authorities.
On Thursday, eight of these IAS officers were formally deputed to various districts, marking the beginning of a broader administrative mobilization.
Senior Bureaucrats Deployed Across Key Districts
- Shantmanu (IAS:1991:AGMUT), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Higher Education Department, has been appointed as the mentor for Srinagar, a key urban center in the Valley.
- H Rajesh Prasad (IAS:1995:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, will oversee Budgam.
- Santosh Dattatraya Vaidya (IAS:1998:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Finance Department, has been deputed to Pulwama.
In addition to IAS officers, senior IFS officer:
- Brij Mohan Sharma (IFS:1995:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, has been tasked with mentoring Ramban district.
Other IAS officers and their district assignments include:
- Saurabh Bhagat (IAS:2002:AGMUT) – Ganderbal
- Sheetal Nanda (IAS:2006:AGMUT) – Udhampur
- Neeraj Kumar (IAS) – Kulgam
- Prasanna Ramaswamy G (IAS:2010:AGMUT) – Shopian
- Talat Parvez Rohella (IAS:2010:AGMUT) – Doda
- Mohammad Aijaz (IAS:2012:AGMUT) – Kishtwar
Inclusion of JKAS Officers
To ensure holistic administrative coverage, the government has also appointed two senior JKAS officers:
- Zubair Ahmad, Commissioner/Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, will mentor Anantnag.
- Babila Rakwal, Commissioner/Secretary, Cooperative Department, has been deputed to Reasi.
Strategic Context
These appointments are viewed as part of the UT administration’s proactive strategy to bolster district-level governance in sensitive and strategically important regions. The mentors will serve as direct conduits between the central and local administration, ensuring streamlined communication, rapid response to emerging issues, and enhanced coordination across departments during the current phase of heightened alert.
As tensions along the Line of Control persist, this move underscores the administration’s focus on preparedness, civilian welfare, and stability across Jammu and Kashmir.
