Jammu & Kashmir Reassigns Four Senior IAS Officers After MHA Promotions, Sanjeev Verma and Avny Lavasa Receive Key Portfolios
In a major administrative realignment aimed at strengthening departmental leadership across the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has formally re-designated four Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers following their promotion to higher administrative grades sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
The revised postings were notified through an official order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), which confirmed the reassignment of senior responsibilities in accordance with the officers’ upgraded service status and enhanced seniority within the AGMUT cadre.
The administrative exercise has been undertaken to ensure that the newly promoted officers are positioned in departments of strategic importance, enabling more effective governance, streamlined decision-making and improved implementation of public service programmes across Jammu and Kashmir.
Sanjeev Verma Elevated as Principal Secretary, Election Department
Senior IAS officer Sanjeev Verma (AGMUT cadre, 2001 batch) has been appointed as Principal Secretary to the Government, Election Department. His re-designation follows his elevation to a senior administrative grade approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In his new role, Verma will oversee the Union Territory’s electoral administration, institutional preparedness and coordination with constitutional bodies for conducting free and fair elections.
Prasanna Ramaswamy G Takes Charge as Commissioner Secretary, Tribal Affairs
Prasanna Ramaswamy G (AGMUT cadre, 2010 batch) has been entrusted with the post of Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department. With this re-designation, he assumes a central role in policy formulation, welfare planning and implementation of development schemes for tribal communities across the region.
Ram Niwas Sharma Appointed Commissioner Secretary, School Education
Another 2010-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ram Niwas Sharma, has been re-designated as Commissioner Secretary to the Government, School Education Department. His new assignment places him at the forefront of shaping education policy, strengthening school infrastructure, improving learning outcomes and supervising academic administration throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
Avny Lavasa Named Secretary, Transport Department
Avny Lavasa (AGMUT cadre, 2013 batch) has been appointed as Secretary to the Government, Transport Department. Following his promotion, he will now oversee transport governance, regulatory frameworks, road safety measures and modernization initiatives across the Union Territory.
Routine Administrative Restructuring to Optimize Senior Leadership
Officials noted that these re-designations form part of the standard post-promotion restructuring process undertaken by the Union Territory administration to ensure that senior officers are optimally deployed in departments requiring experienced leadership. The move is expected to reinforce institutional efficiency, policy coordination and service delivery mechanisms across Jammu and Kashmir.
