Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday appointed Brij Raj Sharma, a 1984 batch IAS officer, as the Chief Secretary, superseding four senior officers. "The Cabinet which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today approved the appointment of B R Sharma as the Chief Secretary," an official spokesperson said. Born on April 27, 1960, Sharma will have one of the longest tenures as the Chief Secretary of the state if he continues in the office till his superannuation.
The appointment of a new Chief Secretary was required after Sharma's predecessor Mohammad Iqbal Khandey sought voluntary retirement from service last month citing differences with the government over frequent transfer of senior officers. Sharma has been appointed to the top administrative post, superseding four senior officers, Arun Kumar and his wife Sonali Kumar, both 1979 batch IAS officers, A K Angurana (1980 batch) and Khursheed Ahmad Ganai (1982 batch).
Sharma, who has two post-graduate degrees besides an LLB degree, has held several key posts in the government during his 31 years of service. His last posting was as Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department of Jammu and Kashmir. He has also held the post of Principal Secretary of the Home Department.
Sharma was the Chief Election Officer of the state during the 2008 Assembly elections, which were held immediately after the Amarnath Land row agitation in the state.
