The Jammu and Kashmir Estates Department has designated several government bungalows in Srinagar for the Council of Ministers in preparation for the anticipated formation of a new government next month.
According to Government Order No. 222 EST(KMR) of 2024, nine senior officials currently residing in ministerial bungalows have been instructed to vacate their accommodations to make way for the incoming ministers. Among those required to vacate are Dheeraj Gupta, IAS, Financial Commissioner (ACS) of the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment; Alok Kumar, IRS, Principal Secretary to the Government for Higher Education/School Education/Estates; and Chandraker Bharti, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government in the Home Department. Other officials include S.S. Singh Jamwal, IPS, ADGP for the UT of Ladakh; Saurabh Bhagat, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to Government in the Science & Technology Department; Sheetal Nanda, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary in the Social Welfare Department; Mandeep Kour, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary in the Housing & Urban Development Department; V.K. Birdi, IPS, Inspector General of Police for Kashmir; and Ajay Kumar Yadav, IPS, IG for the Srinagar Sector CRPF.
The order emphasizes that the officers should vacate the bungalows at their earliest convenience while being assured of alternative accommodations appropriate to their rank and seniority. This decision sets the stage for the allocation of quarters to the new ministers, who are expected to assume office next month as part of the government formation process in Jammu and Kashmir.
