Srinagar: In what could lead to a major crises in state administration, the ruling BJP ministers have shown their indifference to have Kashmir based IAS and KAS officers as their administrative secretaries, citing personal reasons.

Reliable sources in the administration said the BJP ministers who are part of the coalition government in the state have submitted a joint letter to Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti pleading that they will not keep Kashmiri officers as their administrative secretaries in their departments.

“BJP ministers state that they don’t get a good and comfortable work culture with the Kashmiri officers and say that they don’t get their work done by these officers,” a top source privy to the development told ‘Kashmir Vision’. 

While the government is yet to give any reaction on the development, the Kashmiri IAS and KAS officers have expressed resentment against the move and have threatened to resign or go on mass leave.

“They have threatened to stage protests against the ministers of BJP,” the source said.

Meanwhile, independent MLA from Langate, Er Abdul Rashid has expressed his concern over the issue and stated that humiliation of secretary level Kashmiri officers by BJP Ministers was shameful.

“The behavior of BJP Ministers is shameful, unacceptable and grave violation of the constitution,” Rashid said in a statement issued here.

He said there can be nothing disastrous than the reports that IAS officers having Kashmiri origin have threatened mass resignation.

“The intentions of BJP Ministers are an attempt to divide the state and the bureaucracy on communal lines. It may end up even at a worst situation,” he said.

He said people have a right to know that what forced BJP to the extent that they are not ready to tolerate even Kashmiris in the civil secretariat.

“Not only Kashmiri officers but a competent and dynamic honest officer like Basant Rath is facing the heat for trying to improve the system and discharge his duties to the satisfaction of common masses,” Rashid alleged.

Meanwhile, a top IAS officer said the issue can lead to major crises if government didn’t take some preventive action.

“Besides creating administration crises, the issue will also create a division between the officers of Kashmir and other states,” he said.

Another IAS officer wishing not to be named said the issue was discussed with CM Mehbooba Mufti and will be sorted out amicably.

Notably, this is not for the first time that such issues have cropped up in the civil secretariat. Earlier during the Congress rule, various ministers from Jammu region had openly shown their dislike for Kashmiri IAS and KAS officers. The ministers at that time also had same complaints but the issue was not so grave as it is now, said another officer, wishing not to be named. 

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