Phunsung is new J

Srinagar, May 29 (UNI) Mr C Phunsung today became the first ever officer from the Ladakh region to be appointed to the post of Chief Secretary in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing Mr Vijay Bakaya who will be Advisor to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The decision has prompted a senior most official in Jammu and Kashmir to threaten ''resignation and seek premature retirement'' from service.

In an administrative reshuffle, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Mr Azad, appointed Mr Phunsung, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department, as the new state Chief Secretary with effect from June one.

Mr Phunsung, a 1971-batch IAS officer, has worked in various capacities both at the state and the central level. His assignments also include a stint at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He had recently returned to the state after a diplomatic stint at the Indian High Commission in London.

Mr Bakaya has been transferred as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which was formed in 2003 to manage the multi-lateral lending for capital intensive projects in the state.

Mr Bakaya replaces Mr B R Singh who has been transferred and posted as the Director General of the Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA).

The Cabinet approved Mr Bakaya's appointment as CEO of ERA on a contract basis for a period of two years with effect from June one.

As Advisor to Mr Azad, Mr Bakaya will oversee the implementation of the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan.

The Cabinet acknowledged in a resolution his services towards people of the state in various capacities in the administration. It also placed on record its appreciation of Mr Bakaya's outstanding work as the Chief Secretary and in other capacities.

Mr Bakaya was to retire on March 31 this year, but the Chief Minister sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to extend his services for six months.

However, the PMO approved Mr Azad's recommendations but the extension of six months was reduced to two months by the Union Ministry of Personal and Training. He was subsequently granted an extension of two months till May 31.

Angered by the decision, ERA CEO B R Singh told UNI that he was putting in his resignation papers in a day or two in protest.

''Mr Phunsung is junior to me in service. I have been victimised because I had served as the Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. I am putting in my papers in a day or two,'' he said.

Mr Singh alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government had always exhibited political vendetta in his postings ever since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition came to power in the state.

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