Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing strong objections over the recent transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, calling the move “illegal,” top sources confirmed.
The rift emerged after J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued transfer orders on April 1, despite the power to transfer JKAS officers resting solely with the elected government under the J&K Reorganisation Act. The LG’s authority is limited to transferring IAS officers in the administration.
Sources revealed that Abdullah took serious exception to the transfers and, in his letter to the Home Minister, stated that the LG’s order was issued “without legal backing” and violated the Reorganisation Act.
The Chief Minister reportedly questioned how the Chief Secretary, who serves as Secretary to the Cabinet, permitted the issuance of such an order.
Abdullah also raised concerns over the delay in approving the Business Rules, which have already been forwarded to the LG’s office.
Additionally, the CM has written separately to the LG Sinha, urging a reversal of the transfer order, emphasising its lack of legal validity.
