Govt knows jurisdiction: CM’s adviser amid face-off with L-G

A day after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha defended his decision to transfer Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers earlier this week, saying he was well within his domain, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Adviser, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Saturday said the elected government is also fully aware of its jurisdiction.

A major face-off has erupted between the government and the Raj Bhavan over the transfer of 48 officers this week, with the ruling alliance even passing a resolution on Friday asking the Centre to respect the mandate of the people.

Speaking on Saturday, Wani—who is also a key aide of the Chief Minister—reiterated that the elected government knows its “jurisdiction very well.”

When asked about the issue, Wani said the alliance had already made its position clear during a meeting held in Srinagar on Friday. He added that the stand remains unchanged and said, “Let’s see what happens in the future.”

Responding to L-G Manoj Sinha’s remarks that the transfers were within his domain, Wani said the government wants matters to proceed in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act and the established business rules.

“We are not speaking outside the framework of that,” he said.

On April 1, the J&K administration, acting on the directions of L-G Sinha, transferred 48 JKAS officers. The move triggered the first major face-off between the elected government and the Raj Bhavan, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to raise the issue with the Centre and seek an explanation from the Chief Secretary.

While the Raj Bhavan maintains that the transfers were made because the officers held “magisterial powers” related to “public order”—a domain under the L-G—the elected government argues that, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the L-G only has authority over the transfer of IAS officers, not JKAS officers.

J & K