Deva is new PSC chairman

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 28

After remaining defunct for last nine months, the J&K Public Service commission (PSC) finally took shape as Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed administered oath of office to the newly appointed chairman Abdul Latief Deva here today. 

The oath ceremony was held at the civil secretariat. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister BB Vyas and Secretary, General Administration Department, Gazzanfar Hussain were present on the occasion.

The oath ceremony was kept a low-key affair in view of the demise of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

After assuming charge, Deva later administered oath of office to eight other members of the commission, including Tashi Dorjee, Lal Chand, Jaipal Singh, Ali Asgar Choudhary, Posh Charak, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone and Suresh Kumar Sharma.

The Chief Minister expressed hope and optimism that the newly-constituted PSC would fast-track process of recruitment.

The PSC was left defunct after SL Bhat retired as the chairman of the constitutional body in September 2014. 

It is expected that a full-strength PSC would speed up the process of filling up vacancies presently lying with the commission in a time-bound manner, said an official spokesperson.

Abdul Latief Deva is an IAS officer of 2001 batch. He was born in Anantnag on January 1, 1957. 

Deva has had an impeccable record as an officer having served at several senior positions in the administration. He has served as Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, Srinagar, Settlement Commissioner, Custodian General and Vice Chairman of J&K Lakes & Waterways Development Authority. 

Given his vast experience in administrative matters, Deva played a key role in policy related issues and brought greater synergy between officers and general public. 

Tashi Dorje, a KAS officer of 1977 batch, was inducted into IAS in 2005. He has served in administrative capacities, including Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, and Director, Area Command, before superannuating as Secretary to Government, ARI & Trainings in 2011.

Lal Chand was an IFS officer of the 1981 batch. He served the State Forest Department in different capacities before retiring in 2013 as chairman of the State Pollution Control Board.

Jai Pal Singh and Ali Asgar Choudhary are KAS officers of 1984 batch. They have done post-graduation from the University of Jammu. Jai Pal Singh is also a recipient of the State Award for Meritorious Service and Prime Minister’s Medal for Excellence.

Professor Posh Charak and Professor Mushtaq Ahmad Wani carved out a niche for themselves in field of higher education. While Charak has held senior faculty positions, including Dean, Research Studies, Head, Department of Dogri, and Head, Department of English; Prof Wani has made immense contribution as Member of Academic Council of University of Kashmir and Assessor, NAAC, Bangalore.

Engineer Mushtaq Ahmad Lone got is a civil engineer from the then Regional Engineering College, Srinagar. He rose to become Chief Engineer and served the PMGSY and R&B wings of the state’s Public Works Department. 

Suresh Kumar Sharma is a senior judicial officer who was serving as a Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, before being appointed as the PSC member.