JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
To ensure the successful and smooth conduct of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to depute 63 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board on short-term deputation. These officers will be assigned important responsibilities such as Camp Director and Additional Camp Director during the Yatra period.
According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), these officers will be placed under the Shrine Board to handle yatra management, pilgrim facilities, administrative coordination, and the operation of various camps.
The officers appointed include Samba Additional Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Singh, Patnitop Tourism Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Varinder Kumar Maniyal, Jal Shakti Department Additional Secretary Chander Prakash, Disaster Management Department Additional Secretary Atul Kumar, Tourism Department Additional Secretary Vikas Dhar Bagti, Cooperative Department Joint Registrar Vikas Anand, School Education Department Joint Director Gurdev Kumar and several other senior officers. In addition, several officials, including Vishal Singh Parihar, Manoj Kumar, Chandrakant Bhagat, Sanjeev Kumar, Kewal Krishna Sharma, Anil Kumar, Ranjeet Singh, Pulkit Dutta, Sahil Bagotra, Rampal, Mahendra Pal, Sumit Suri, Sahil Mahajan, Jitendra Pal Singh, Sandeep Singh, Santosh Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Himmat Kumar Raina, Mukesh Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Vishal Targotra, Raj Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Vishal Angurana, Shailendra Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Manish Sudan, Sahil Abrol, Sachin Abrol, Mohit Sharma, Sandesh Kumar, Bhushan Kumar Singh, and Hitesh Kumar Luna, have also been assigned responsibilities related to travel management.
The government order also includes Akhil Bhau, Dinesh Singh, Kunal Singh, Tarun Sudan, Manish Bhagat, Ujjwal Singh Samyal, Kashish Sharma, Vishal Pathak, Biplob Sudan, Ayush Sharma, Anoop Kumar, and Aju Kundal on this special deputation.
According to the order, all officers have been instructed to report to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board on the scheduled date. Their deployment and work area will be determined by the Shrine Board. During the deputation period, the officers will continue to receive their salary from their parent department and will return to their original posting after the completion of the Yatra.
It is noteworthy that extensive preparations are being made for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, including security, health facilities, accommodation arrangements, and pilgrim management. The administration believes that the deployment of experienced administrative officers will make the conduct of the Yatra more effective and organized.
