Disquiet in J&K govt. as L-G establishes complete control over bureaucracy

J&K government faces power struggle as L-G Sinha asserts control over bureaucracy through controversial transfers.

There is a deep sense of disquiet in the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha established his complete control over bureaucracy with his latest transfer orders in the Union Territory (UT).

As the government officials were busy with Id celebrations in J&K, Mr. Sinha enforced transfer of 48 middle-rung officials drawn from J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) on Tuesday evening. The list included over 12 magistrates.

It’s for the first time since Omar Abdullah took over the reins of the UT in October 2024 that the L-G enforced a major reshuffle of JKAS officers. Earlier, Mr. Sinha’s most transfer orders were limited to Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers and the deputy commissioners. These transfers also goes against the proposed Business Rules of the elected government.

In March this year, the J&K government drafted the Business Rules and forwarded it to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for approval through the L-G office. However, the latest transfer by the L-G is seen by the ruling National Conference (NC) as a bid to “further push the L-G’s grip over bureaucracy in J&K”, to the chagrin of the Omar Abdullah government. Mr. Abdullah’s Cabinet submitted the Business Rules to the L-G office as per the requirement under the J&K Reorganisation Act, which came into being after the Centre ended J&K’s special constitutional position in 2019.

Top government official sources said the elected government through the Business Rules had sought a greater role in filling the positions of deputy commissioners in J&K and a complete control over JKAS officers to implement the elected government’s agenda.

The J&K Reorganisation Act delineates the powers between the government and the L-G. The Business Rules would have finalised the nitty-gritty of the rules that will govern the Chief Minister’s office, the Council of Ministers and the Raj Bhavan. The Act, otherwise, grants complete powers to the L-G over the J&K Police and IAS officers.

However, sources said the L-G was pressing to transfer civil magistrates too for being a component of the law and order agencies. The elected government fears that the latest move will widen the sway of the L-G over other departments, especially the crucial Revenue department that deals with land in J&K.