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| Removal or continuation of CS is real issue between NC, Congress | | | Bashir Assad
JAMMU, Jan 28: Though the issue of creation of new administrative units has become a bone of contention between the coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir, however, the real issue that has brought NC and Congress at loggerheads is the appointment of Chief Secretary.
If the insiders are to be believed, the differences between the NC and Congress party in the state are piling up apparently on as to whether the incumbent Chief Secretary M Iqbal Khanday should continue or be relieved to pave way for another Kashmiri IAS officer, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai.
Sources said though known for his integrity and uprightness, Iqbal Khanday is not liked by a section of the Congress party who have been lobbying in New-Delhi for his removal before the general Assembly elections.
Sources further said the local Congress leaders through Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad got a senior IAS officer, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai relieved from the Home Ministry to pave way for his elevation as Chief Secretary of the state. They said the file for Ganai's promotion as Financial Commissioner in the grade of Chief Secretary is pending before the Cabinet and it is likely that his promotion may be effected in next Cabinet meeting. They said a section of Congress leaders are pressing for removal of Khanday as Chief Secretary and have also suggested a blue print for his ouster. Sources said the Congress would like to see Khursheed Ganai taking over as Chief Secretary before the general Assembly elections decks for which have already been cleared. Sources said Khanday will be shifted to State Public services Commission on the superannuation of the incumbent PSC chairman, S L Bhat in September this year. They said though Khursheed is junior to three J&K cadre IAS officers viz Sonali Kumar, Arun Kumar and Angurana, however, Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad want him to be the Chief Secretary.
Khursheed may be having then only some months left of his service but Congress is keen to have elections in the state under his command. Sources said after his promotion, Khursheed may be given the portfolio of FC Home Department till September. "On retirement of SL Bhat, Khanday would be posted as Chairman PSC and Ganai would be elevated as Chief Secretary.
Sources said the row on the incumbent Chief Secretary is going on for quite some time within the coalition partners and at one point of time Khanday had even asked the Chief Minister to relive him.
Since the post of CS has always been above political motives and the Centre has always been keen to have a local CS but coalition politics has denigrated this pivotal institution and the elections scenario is becoming murkier and the call for fair elections is becoming more and more doubtful. Sources said Khanday- a man of solid rock integrity- would prefer to get relieved over being disputed by anyone on fundamental administrative issues. |
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