JAMMU: All the four advisors to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, General (retd.) K.V. Krishna Rao are being replaced shortly by a new team, official sources said here on Nov.25.

The sources said Ashok Jaitley, one of the senior advisors to the Governor, has already proceeded on leave amidst speculation that he wanted his adjustment in the Central Government outside the slate.

Jaitley, had already delivered a letter to the Union Cabinet Secretary, Zaffar Saifullah, on Oct.30 asking for being relieved and posted with Union Government, the sources said.

Jaitley, a serving bureaucrat, is al present the senior most IAS officer in Jammu and Kashmir cadre.

Jaitley’s request for being relieved comes on close heels of the resignation sent in by the governor’s advisor (security) Lt General (retd) M.A.Zaki, who was seriously injured along with Wajahat Habibullah in road accident in Srinagar recently.

‘The sources said R.K.Saiyeed, another advisor to the Governor, is also tipped for an important diplomatic assignment very soon, while Lt. General D.D, Saklani will reach superannuation next month.

General Saklani, who was earlier allotted Information and Tourism portfolios, was given the charge of vital security department after the mishap in which Zaki and Kashmir’s Divisional Commissioner, Habiullah, were injured.

‘The sources said the new team of advisors would be selected from the present advisors appointed to the Governors of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where Assembly elections have been completed.

When the new governments in these four states will be formed, some advisors to the Governors of these states would be adjusted in Jammu and Kashmir in consultation with the state Governor, Rao.

There was also a move to bring Punjab police Chief, K.P.S.Gill, as the Security Advisor to the J and K Governor in place of Saklani, the sources said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 3, 1993