- LG Manoj Sinha reshuffles 22 officers; R Alice Vaz to head Information Department additionally
Jammu, 20-02-2026: In a significant administrative exercise aimed at strengthening governance and streamlining departmental functioning, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday ordered the transfer and posting of 22 IAS and JKAS officers across Jammu and Kashmir. The reshuffle covers senior functionaries including Additional Chief Secretaries, Commissioner Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners, indicating a comprehensive realignment of responsibilities at both the Secretariat and district levels.
Ashwani Kumar, who was awaiting adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been appointed as Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Power Development Department. In addition to this assignment, he will also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Mining Department, until further orders. Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, presently serving as Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.
Shailendra Kumar has been transferred from Agriculture Production to take over as Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department. M Raju, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, will now also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department.
R Alice Vaz, who was awaiting orders in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Commissioner and Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department. She has also been given the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Information Department. Yasha Mudgal has been shifted from Youth Services and Sports to head the Cooperatives Department, while Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary moves from Science and Technology to take charge of Youth Services and Sports.
Dr Piyush Singla, Secretary, Information Technology Department, will now also serve as Administrative Secretary, Public Grievances Department, relieving Naveen S L of the additional charge. Babila Rakwal has been transferred from Cooperatives to head the Science and Technology Department.
At the mission and departmental level, Anjali Sehrawat has been appointed as Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, while Nidhi Malik, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, takes over as Inspector General of Registration, J&K. Owais Ahmed has been posted as Director, Skill Development, J&K, and will continue to hold additional charge in the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department. Dr Sagar D Dattatray has been appointed Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir.
Several district-level changes were also announced. Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan has been transferred from Kulgam to Budgam as Deputy Commissioner, while Kumar Abhishek takes over as Deputy Commissioner Reasi. Dr Bilal Mohiud Din Bhat moves from Budgam to Anantnag. Minga Sherpa has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, and Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid shifts from Anantnag to Baramulla.
Harvinder Singh has been appointed Director, Employment, J&K, and will additionally oversee Mission Youth and Mission YUVA. Shahzad Alam has been transferred as Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, while Krishan Lal takes over as Deputy Commissioner Doda.
The sweeping changes are being viewed as an effort to enhance administrative efficiency, improve coordination among departments and ensure responsive governance across the Union Territory. By placing experienced officers in key positions and redistributing responsibilities, the administration appears focused on reinforcing service delivery, accelerating developmental initiatives and maintaining institutional continuity at a time when governance demands remain dynamic and multifaceted.