Vyas is new Chief Secretary J & K, several IAS officers transferred

Jammu Apr 28: Bharat Bhushan Vyas has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of state, sources said.

Vyas replaces B R sharma who has been appointed as Adviser to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

The decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of state cabinet chaired by Ms Mufti. Sharma, sources said, Thad been sounded about this decision and was away from today meeting. Secretary General Administration Department (GAD) Khurshid Ahmed Shah functioned as Secretary to Cabinet today.

Vyas is 1986 batch IAS officer of J & K cadre and was currently serving as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister. He also served in same capacity with two former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Sources also revealed that there was growing resentment among the ministers against Sharma whose disposal was dismal and decision making was poor.

Sources said that several IAS officers were transferred in today's meeting. They include Pawan Kotwal, Sanjeev Verma, M K Bhandari, Shaleem Kabra, Rajiv Ranjan and KAS officers G N ittoo, Tasaduq Jeelani and M H Malik. More details are awaited.