In two key administrative developments, the Central Government and the Jammu & Kashmir administration have announced important decisions concerning senior IAS officers.
P. Hemalatha Granted Six-Month Extension as Secretary, Spices Board
Senior IAS officer P. Hemalatha (2000 batch, Karnataka cadre), who currently serves as the Development Commissioner of Cochin Special Economic Zone (SEZ), has been granted a six-month extension to continue holding additional charge as Secretary (Joint Secretary level), Spices Board.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), acting on the proposal from the Department of Commerce, approved the extension from April 24, 2025, to October 23, 2025, or until a regular appointment is made, whichever is earlier. The order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on June 4, 2025.
Hemalatha continues to oversee the Spices Board, a key agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, responsible for promoting India’s spice exports, alongside her primary responsibilities at the Cochin SEZ.
IAS Rakesh Kumar Relieved from Jammu & Kashmir for Ladakh Assignment
In a separate development, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has relieved IAS officer Rakesh Kumar (AGMUT cadre, 2021 batch) to enable him to take up his new posting in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued the relieving order, effective from June 2, 2025 (afternoon), stating:
“Consequent upon the transfer of Mr. Rakesh Kumar, IAS (AGMUT:2021), to the Union Territory of Ladakh, the officer is hereby relieved from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect…”
This reassignment forms part of the routine cadre management process under the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram–Union Territories) framework, ensuring optimal utilization of officers across union territories.
