Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered a major bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring two IAS officers and assigning additional departmental responsibilities to others. The changes also include an interim arrangement for the post of Chief Secretary following the retirement of Atal Dulloo on October 31.
Under a separate order, the Lieutenant Governor has assigned the charge of Chief Secretary to Shailendra Kumar (IAS: 1995: AGMUT), who is currently serving as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department. He will hold the responsibility until newly appointed Chief Secretary Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav joins Jammu and Kashmir.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued two separate orders on November 1: Government Order No. 1725-JK(GAD) of 2026 for the Chief Secretary arrangement and Government Order No. 1724-JK(GAD) of 2026 for the transfers and additional assignments.
Shailendra Kumar to Hold Chief Secretary’s Charge
Shailendra Kumar, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, is currently the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department. He also holds additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.
He has been directed to look after the responsibilities of Chief Secretary until Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav assumes charge in the Union Territory.
Who Is Shailendra Kumar?
Shailendra Kumar holds Postgraduate qualification in History from Patna University. His previous responsibilities includes assignments as Deputy Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary in different departments.
Kumar has also served in the Public Works, Industries and Commerce, Tourism and Agriculture departments.
Six IAS Officers Get New Assignments
The second government order brings changes to the leadership and additional-charge arrangements in several departments, including Revenue, Jal Shakti, Estates and Tribal Affairs.
The major changes are as follows:
- Shaleen Kabra (IAS: 1992; AGMUT): Transferred from Jal Shakti Department to become Director General, Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPARD).
- Chandraker Bharti (IAS: 1996: AGMUT): Assigned additional charge of Financial Commissioner, Revenue, alongside his existing responsibilities in the Home Department.
- M. Raju (IAS: 2005: AGMUT): Given additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Estates Department.
- Saugat Biswas (IAS: 2006: AGMUT): Assigned additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Jal Shakti Department.
- Rehana Batul (IAS: 2010: AGMUT): Transferred from IMPARD and appointed Commissioner/Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department.
- Avny Lavasa (IAS: 2013: AGMUT): Relieved of the additional charge of Tribal Affairs and assigned additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department.
All the arrangements have been made with immediate effect and will continue until further orders, wherever specified.
Who Are the Six IAS Officers?
Shaleen Kabra
Shaleen Kabra is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Before the latest reshuffle, he was serving as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department. He was also holding additional responsibilities in the Revenue and Estates departments.
His administrative career includes senior assignments in Jammu and Kashmir, including work in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and other government departments.
Chandraker Bharti
Chandraker Bharti is a 1996-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. He holds a Master of Science degree and has an engineering background, having graduated from Delhi College of Engineering.
He has served in several administrative roles, including assignments in the Delhi government and Puducherry administration. He also served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, where he was entrusted with responsibilities relating to the aerospace division.
Before the reshuffle, he was serving as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Home Department, Jammu and Kashmir.
M. Raju
M. Raju is a 2005-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. His academic qualifications include an MA in History and an MSc in Microbiology.
He is currently serving as Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department. He also holds additional responsibilities in the Hospitality and Protocol Department and the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department.
Saugat Biswas
Saugat Biswas is a 2006-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. His educational qualifications include a BSc, an MA in Mass Communication and a postgraduate degree in Public Policy.
He was serving as Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, before the latest order.
Rehana Batul
Rehana Batul is a 2010-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. She holds an MA in Sociology and an MPhil.
Before the reshuffle, she was serving as Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development.
Avny Lavasa
Avny Lavasa is a 2013-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre. She holds a BA in Economics.
She was serving as Secretary, Tourism Department, and was also holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department.
Key Departments Affected by the Reshuffle
The November 1 orders affect the administrative leadership of several important departments:
- Finance: Shailendra Kumar will temporarily look after the Chief Secretary’s responsibilities while retaining his Finance assignment.
- Revenue: Chandraker Bharti gets additional charge as Financial Commissioner, while Avny Lavasa takes over additional responsibility as Administrative Secretary.
- Jal Shakti: Saugat Biswas receives additional charge of the department.
- Estates: M. Raju is assigned additional responsibility.
- Tribal Affairs: Rehana Batul replaces the previous additional-charge arrangement held by Avny Lavasa.
- IMPARD: Shaleen Kabra takes over as Director General.
The changes are intended to ensure continuity in the administration following the retirement of Atal Dulloo (IAS: 1989: AGMUT) and ahead of Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav’s (IAS: 1995: AGMUT) joining as the new Chief Secretary.
