Srinagar, May 31 (NAK): In a major political development, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BR Kundal has reportedly submitted his pre-mature retirement to government of India after assurances from Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad that the former would be inducted into state cabinet as power minister.
The speculations about intention of the IAS officer to joint politics and to contest ensuing assembly elections were already looming large over the political corridors of the state but the sudden resignation by the chief secretary has come as a surprise to political heavyweights and observers.
Well informed sources told News Agency of Kashmir that BR Kundal, a 1972 batch IAS officer, is all set to join Congress and take over as minister in Jammu and Kashmir cabinet. Through some people close to Kundal said that he is expected to resign in few days, sources maintained that the officer has already send his resignation to Government of India.
The IAS officer, who took over as chief secretary on the retirement of C Phunsog in October, last year had to continue till his retirement in February 2009. However, the officer, holding highest post in state bureaucracy, relinquished his job for political aspirations, sources said.
It was reliably learnt that Kundal will take over as cabinet minister on Monday. The Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has assured him of power portfolios, sources told NAK.
“He will take oath as minister at Rajbhawan in Srinagar on Monday at 9 AM”, sources said.
The announcement is likely to be made on Monday, when the state cabinet would meet in Srinagar, sources said.
A subordinate of the chief secretary, told NAK on the condition of anonymity, that Kundal was noticed packing his baggage from last few days without any indication.
Though unconfirmed reports revealed that Kundal, after joining Congress, will be given revenue portfolio in the state cabinet the developments speak the other way.
Power Minister Babu Singh, who was in Jammu, was reportedly informed telephonically by the officials in GAD that he has to reach Srinagar by Monday. Though the purpose for summoning the minister was not told to him sources said that he would be informed about the decision on Monday.
However, the path from bureaucracy to politics may not be easy for Kundal. Sources said that he has to seek permission from Government of India to do any job within one year after his retirement.
“For any IAS officer there is condition that in case he or she want to do any job, permission has to be sought from GOI”, sources maintained.
The IAS officer of 1972 batch, BR Kundal has the distinction of working in different departments of the state administration.
He also headed Task Forces on Housing and Urban Development Department and Economic Reconstruction Agency, Principal Secretary, Power, Principal Secretary, Agriculture production department, Secretary Home, Financial Commissioner, Power and other posts.
Born in R S Pora Jammu on February 11, 1949, Kundal has done MA in Political Science and served as a teacher in School education department for some time before doing his MA Political Science from Jammu University. He qualified IAS in 1972 and was promoted as Financial Commissioner on April 21, 2005. He has also worked as Div Com Jammu.
He is the first Scheduled Caste officer from J&K to reach the level of Chief Secretary. (NAK)