Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday ordered a reshuffle in the Transport Department, transferring and posting several Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) and In-charge ARTOs with immediate effect.
According to a Government Order issued by the Transport Department, the changes have been made following the placement of the services of Junior Scale JKAS officers at the disposal of the department under Government Order No. 1463-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated September 1, 2026.
As per the order, Pirzada Shabir Ahmad, ARTO Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as ARTO Shopian, replacing Arif Parvaiz Shah, who has been attached with the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, until further orders.
Varun Bhasin, a Junior Scale JKAS officer awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Assistant Transport Commissioner (ATC), J&K, against an available vacancy in the office of the Transport Commissioner. He will also hold additional charge of ARTO (Board of Inspection), Jammu.
Mohammad Arif Shah, Junior Scale JKAS, has been posted as ARTO Ganderbal against an available vacancy, while Tawheed Ahmad Mir, also a Junior Scale JKAS officer, has been posted as ARTO Kupwara.
Kuldeep Kumar, Junior Scale JKAS, has been posted as ARTO Doda, relieving the ARTO Kishtwar of the additional charge of the post.
Romesh Samotra, who was attached with the office of the RTO Kashmir, has been posted as In-charge ARTO Ramban.
The order has also issued directions concerning the constitution of Driving Testing and Fitness Boards.
The Transport Commissioner, J&K, has been directed to constitute such boards, as far as practicable, from among officers posted within the limits of Jammu and Srinagar cities.
The order noted that deploying officers from outside districts for these assignments was adversely affecting the delivery of public services, particularly in far-flung areas.
The latest reshuffle is aimed at filling available vacancies and rationalising the deployment of officers in the Transport Department, while ensuring that administrative arrangements do not affect public service delivery in remote areas.
