L-G enforces major administrative reshuffle in J&K, ruffles feathers with elected government

Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha addresses a commemorative event on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), in Srinagar. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised concerns in the Assembly over the dual power system and transfers in the Union Territory, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) enforced a major reshuffle and changed 49 officers, including the ones in the Information department and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) that the elected government claims to be under its jurisdiction.

In a government order, Mr. Sinha transferred and posted 49 officers, mostly from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). However, it also included officers from the J&K Administrative Service (JKAS). According to the General Administration department, the exercise “has been undertaken in the interest of administration”.

Impacts 30 departments