SRINAGAR: Atal Dulloo, a 1989 batch senior-most IAS officer will be the new Chief Secretary of UT of Jammu and Kashmir from December 1, after the Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday appointed him to succeed Arun Kumar Mehta, who is retiring after attaining the age of superannuation.
He is the first local to hold the top bureaucratic post after 2017.
“Consequent upon the superannuation of Arun Kumar Mehta, IAS, on 30.11.2023 and on repatriation from central deputation, Atal Dulloo, IAS (AGMUT-1988) is hereby appointed as chief secretary, Jammu and Kashmir with effect from 1-12-2023 or from date of assumption of charge, whichever is late and until further orders,” reads the order.
Dulloo is the first native bureaucrat to occupy the top post since 2017. B R Sharma, a native of J&K, held the top bureaucratic position from August 2015 to April 2017.
Dulloo’s premature repatriation to the AGMUT cadre by the Centre earlier this month indicated that he would be J&K’s next chief secretary. On November 21, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) had ordered premature repatriation of Dulloo to J&K on the request of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Before the repatriation, he was sent on central deputation in June this year where he served as Secretary, the Department of Border Management. Born in the Kashmir Valley in 1966, 57-year-old Dulloo has held key bureaucratic positions in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in New Delhi.
Starting his bureaucratic career as a sub-divisional magistrate in Ladakh, Dulloo has served as deputy commissioner of key districts in the erstwhile state. He has also held key bureaucratic positions in the civil secretariat and served as Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education Department and Agriculture Production Department.
As administrative head of the Health & Medical Education Department, he played a key role in the expansion of medical infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
Taking to X PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti applauded the move to appoint Dullo as Chief Secretary of JK: “After a long time a J&K resident has been put in a position of power to serve his people when they find themselves in utter despair and dispossessed. Hope it gives way to a sense of empathy and redressal for the masses.” (KNO)
