Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed three Directors of the J&K Economics and Statistics (Gazetted) Service as in-charge Director Generals with immediate effect, pending clearance and confirmation by the Establishment-cum-Selection Committee (EcSC).
The arrangement has been approved under Government Order No. 14-JK(PD&MD) of 2026, dated September 25, 2026, and will remain in force for six months or until the officers are formally promoted through the EcSC, whichever is earlier.
The officers placed as in-charge Director Generals are Madan Gopal Sharma, Sheikh Shavaiz Ahmad and Suneel Kumar Pandita.
According to the order issued by the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, the officers will hold the posts in their own pay and grade (OPG), with charge allowance admissible under the applicable rules.
The government has termed the placements as interim, temporary and stop-gap arrangements. The order makes it clear that the arrangement will not confer any preferential right on the officers to hold the posts on a substantive basis or to claim promotion, regularisation or confirmation.
Their regular promotion or appointment to the posts will be considered in accordance with the applicable rules and eligibility conditions through the EcSC.
The order further states that the arrangement will remain subject to the outcome of any writ petitions pending before the competent courts.
The placements may also be reversed without prior notice if an adverse report is received from any agency against any of the officers, or if a genuine superior claim by an officer left out of the arrangement is subsequently established.
Despite being placed as in-charge Director Generals, all three officers will continue at their present places of posting until further orders.
The government order thus provides a temporary administrative arrangement while leaving their substantive promotion and appointment to be decided through the prescribed EcSC process.
