J&K’s Administrative Council Sans Kashmiri Representation

*Civil Secretariat Srinagar | File Photo*

Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley remains without any representation in the administrative council, the highest decision-making body of Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of an elected government.

Presently, the administrative council headed by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha comprises two members: Farooq Ahmad Khan, a former IPS officer of J&K cadre, and Rajeev Rai Bhatanagar, a former IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Earlier, former IAS officer Baseer Khan was a member of the council till his removal last month. Both Farooq Khan and Baseer Khan are from the Jammu division.

After imposition of Governor’s rule in J&K in June 2018, NN Vohra had appointed Khursheed Ahmad Ganie, a former IAS officer from Kashmir, as his advisor, apparently to give representation to Valley in the decision-making.

Ganie had resigned from the post of Chief Information Commissioner to take up the coveted assignment.

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After reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, all advisors were deemed to have been relieved from responsibilities. But later Centre retained Farooq Khan and Kewal Kumar Sharma as advisors to LG GC Murmu. However, Sharma was appointed as State Election Commissioner ahead of the district development council polls in J&K in 2020

In March 2020, Baseer Ahmad Khan was appointed as advisor to LG Murmu. On October 5, 2021 Khan was relieved from the responsibility.

After Khan’s exit, it was widely reported that many names were under consideration of the Government of India for appointment as an advisor to LG.

It is worthwhile to mention that an advisor exercises powers of a minister in absence of an elected government in J&K. He is also part of the administrative council.

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