SRINAGAR: With majority of political parties in the State not interested in early elections and rooting in favour of continuation of Governor’s Rule, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Friday appointed another advisor for running the affairs of the State.
An official spokesman said the Governor appointed Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, (retired IAS officer) as his advisor with effect from the date he assumes charge. Ganai had on Thursday resigned from the post of Chief Information Commissioner to pave the way for his appointment as third advisor to the Governor.
It is the second time that Ganai, a 1982-batch IAS officer, would serve as advisor to Governor Vohra. He was advisor to Vohra for a brief period when the state came under Governor’s Rule following the demise of then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and over three month stalemate between PDP and BJP over government formation.
On June 20, Governor’s Rule was imposed in the State after BJP withdrew support to Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government citing deteriorating law and order and security situation.
Amarnath pilgrims left stranded after landslips Over 2,000 Amarnath pilgrims, who were part of the third batch, were on Friday left stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as heavy rains triggered landslides, disrupting smooth flow of traffic. Braving heavy rains, the third batch of 2,876 pilgrims, including 544 women, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in a convoy under tight security cover, but faced frequent stoppage due to blocking of the 260-km highway by landslides.
Officials said 2,032 pilgrims, including 315 women, who opted for the traditional 36-km Pahalgam route, were stopped in Udhampur and would proceed towards their destination on Saturday provided the road is traffic worthy.