SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday called for local representation in the Union Territory’s top administrative position, questioning why an officer from the region could not be appointed Chief Secretary.
Referring to the retirement of former Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on November 1, Choudhary questioned why he was not granted an extension, particularly when officials in other parts of the country had received similar extensions.
“If a chief secretary has to be appointed in J&K, why can’t someone from the region itself be appointed?” he asked.
He said that if Dulloo was not to continue in the post, the administration could have considered another local officer, irrespective of religious background.
“At least that person would have been a son of the soil,” he said.
Choudhary also questioned whether the BJP had raised the issue, alleging that the party was following a particular narrative rather than highlighting concerns specific to Jammu and Kashmir.
