Omar Abdullah Convenes Emergency Meeting Over LG’s Transfer of 48 JKAS Officers in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has convened an emergency meeting with MLAs of the ruling National Conference and its supporting parties on Friday.

This comes in response to an order issued by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, transferring 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers. The transfers have sparked fresh tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the elected government.

GAD Order Sparks Political Uproar

Two days before the meeting, the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department (GAD) released an official order transferring JKAS officers across various districts of the Union Territory.

The decision is being viewed by the Abdullah-led government as an infringement upon the powers vested in the elected administration.

Sources indicated that the Chief Minister plans to raise the issue of reported interference in matters traditionally overseen by the elected executive.

The controversial order has further strained relations between the Raj Bhavan and the elected dispensation, with the Chief Minister asserting that the transfers violated the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act’s legal and administrative provisions.

CM Abdullah Writes to LG and Centre

Reacting to the development, Omar Abdullah has written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, requesting that the transfer order be reviewed.

He emphasized that such decisions involving officers outside the All India Services cadre should be made solely by the elected government.

Additionally, Abdullah has escalated the matter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that repeated unilateral actions by the LG were undermining the authority of his government.

According to reports, the letter emphasized that the order was not approved by the “competent authority” and was therefore “illegal.”

Political Voices Oppose LG’s Move

Congress leader and national general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir also expressed strong disapproval of the LG’s decision.

“It would have been advisable for LG to wait a while as the business rules are pending approval. The LG should have been more patient,” Mir remarked.

His statement reflects growing concern among opposition leaders that administrative functions are being handled without proper adherence to procedural norms, particularly in the absence of finalized business rules.

Bureaucratic Power Struggle Intensifies

In what is being seen as an effort by the LG’s office to gain more administrative control, the order included the transfer of 48 mid- and lower-level JKAS officers.

This list featured 14 additional deputy commissioners and 26 sub-divisional magistrates.

The timing of the order is particularly contentious. It coincides with the National Conference-led administration awaiting clearance from the Union Home Ministry on the draft business rules submitted for approval nearly a month ago.

These rules are essential for clarifying the governance structure and delineating responsibilities between the elected government and the LG.

History of Administrative Clashes

This is not the first clash over bureaucratic appointments under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s leadership. In November 2024, Abdullah had opposed the transfer of 20 officers, yet the transfers were executed despite his objection.

The recurrence of such incidents is reigniting debates on the balance of power between Jammu and Kashmir’s elected leadership and the LG’s authority.

Chief Minister’s Protest Letter

In his protest, Abdullah addressed Chief Secretary Atal Dullo, LG Manoj Sinha, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He categorically described the order as lacking the required approval and breaching protocol.

The letter emphasized that decisions regarding postings and transfers of officers in the JKAS cadre fall exclusively under the purview of the elected government.

This move by the LG is perceived by the Abdullah administration as a direct encroachment into their administrative domain, causing renewed friction at the state level.

Rising Concerns Over Authority and Governance

The dispute has reignited broader concerns over governance in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of the newly formed elected government.

With the Centre yet to finalize the rules of business, the Chief Minister’s appeal for intervention suggests a growing power struggle between elected representatives and the LG’s office.

As tensions mount, the outcome of the emergency meeting and the Centre’s reaction to Omar Abdullah’s letter are expected to shape the future dynamic between the Raj Bhavan and the elected administration.

Political analysts are closely observing whether the Centre will take steps to mediate or allow the existing friction to continue unchecked.

The ongoing conflict raises significant questions about administrative authority, governance frameworks, and the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.