Jammu, Jan 14: Putting all speculations at rest, the Jammu and Kashmir Government Friday decided to appoint senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the state-cadre, Madhav Lal, as the new Chief Secretary of the state. Lal, presently on deputation with the central government, will replace SS Kapur who is attaining superannuation by the end of this month.
Highly placed sources in the state government told Greater Kashmir that all the cabinet ministers from both the ruling Congress and National Conference have given their consent for Madhav Lal. “It was decided that Lal being the senior most IAS officer should take over the coveted post,” they said. Sources said the government discussed all the available options following which Madhav Lal was short-listed. “The state government would send a recommendation to the central government to request it to relieve Lal so that his appointment order is issued,” they said.
Presently posted as Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Madhav Lal will be the senior most IAS officer in the state after the retirement of SS Kapur and Verghese Samuel.
“The process for his appointment may take a few weeks as it is the prerogative of the central government to relieve the officers serving it on deputation from various states,” the sources said.
They said that the proposal will be placed before the state cabinet only after Lal is relieved by the central government.
Born in 1955, the 1977 batch IAS officer is on deputation from November 2008. He has served the state in various capacities including Principal Secretary to Government, Forest Department, Principal Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department and OSD in the Resident Commission, J&K Government.
He has also served in the Government of India as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) and as Member (Finance and Administration.) in the National Highway Authority of India.
Earlier, several names including that of Parvez Dewan, Anil Goswami and Iqbal Khanday were making rounds for the post.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST