Omar Abdullah calls emergency meeting as NC fumes over JKAS transfers

April 3, 2025 by News Desk

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to chair a crucial meeting of National Conference (NC) legislators and alliance partners in Jammu on Friday.

While the official agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, sources within the NC indicate that the ruling alliance is displeased with the recent transfer of Jammu Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers ordered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

In a letter addressed to party legislators, NC Chief Whip Mubarak Gul confirmed the meeting would be held at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

“Keeping in view the importance of the meeting, all honourable members are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend,” Gul stated.

The Lieutenant Governor recently approved the transfer and posting of 48 JKAS officers in a significant administrative reshuffle.

Under the current governance framework—established after Jammu Kashmir’s reorganization as a Union Territory in 2019—the LG holds the authority to transfer Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, while the power over JKAS officer postings and transfers remains with the elected government.

Sources within the NC told The Kashmiriyat that Abdullah and his party are increasingly frustrated with several decisions taken by the LG administration, but the latest transfers have particularly intensified their concerns.

They argue that these changes were made without consulting the elected leadership.

While it remains unclear whether the meeting will lead to any concrete action, the government is keen to ensure that administrative disputes do not affect the common people of Jammu Kashmir.

However, with the LG’s powers rooted in the 2019 Reorganization Act, tensions between the elected leadership and the centrally appointed administration are expected to continue.