With no headway in govt formation, J&K Governor appoints advisors

Srinagar: With no sign of any move towards government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor N N Vohra on Thursday appointed two former IAS officers with vast experience in the affairs of the sensitive Himalayan state as his advisors.

The advisors Parvez Dewan, former Union tourism secretary, author and librettist, and Khursheed Ahmed Ganai who is known as an officer of outstanding integrity and compassion and served last as chairman, J&K Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), shall exercise the powers of ministers under the Jammu and Kashmir Government Business Rules, a Raj Bhavan communiqué said. Both are IAS officers of repute from J&K cadre.

Mr. Vohra has also ordered major changes to streamline the functioning of administrative structure He also approved the constitution of the State Administrative Council, with the Governor as its chairman and advisors to him as members, to dispose off cases mentioned in the Second Schedule of the J&K Government Business Rules or such other matters as the Governor may direct to be placed before it.

Reacting to the appointment of advisors by the Governor, National Conference working president and former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com “This clearly indicates that Governor Vohra doesn’t see an early end to Central rule in the State. Elections this year??”