Major reshuffle in Horticulture Planning & Marketing Dept; staff transferred across J&K and outside stations

Srinagar: The Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department, Jammu & Kashmir, on Wednesday ordered the transfer and posting of 16 Grading and Marketing Inspectors across the Union Territory and outside stations.

According to the official order issued by Ghulam Jeelani Zargar (JKAS), Director, Horticulture Planning & Marketing, a copy of which has been issued to Ziraat Times, the transfers have been made “in the interest of administration and smooth functioning of government work” with immediate effect.

Key transfers include:

1. Farooq Ahmad Rather, GMI from Kulgam
   → Posted to the office of Deputy Director, Delhi.

2. Iffat Mushtaq, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Ganderbal
   → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Srinagar.

3. Gopal Krishan, GMI from AGMO Bishnah
   → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Jammu.

4. Neetu Chopra, GMI from Deputy Director, Jammu
   → Posted to AGMO Bishnah and will additionally handle GMI duties in AGMO Samba.

5. Inderjeet Singh, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Doda
   → Posted to Assistant Grading and Marketing Officer, Batote.

6. Shamim Ahmad Padder, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Kupwara
   → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Sopore.

7. Rajiv Sharma, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Kathua
   → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Mumbai.

8. Jagdish Raj, GMI from AGMO Batote
   → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Doda.

9. Romaisa Rafiq, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Budgam
   → Posted to Deputy Director Office, Kashmir.

10. Asifa Maqbool, GMI from Deputy Director, Kashmir
    → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Ganderbal.

11. Mudasir Iqbal, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Budgam
    → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Kulgam.

12. Mohammad Salim Baig, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Bandipora
    → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Kupwara.

13. Bilal Ahmad Sheikh, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Pulwama
    → Posted to Directorate Office.

14. Viney Keser, GMI from AGMO Akhnoor
    → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Kathua.

15. Sudhanshu Gupta, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Jammu
    → Posted to Assistant Grading and Marketing Officer, Akhnoor.

16. Basharat Ahmad Sheikh, GMI from Area Marketing Officer, Mumbai
    → Posted to Area Marketing Officer, Kulgam.

Officials told Ziraat Times the reshuffle is designed to align experienced officers with priority areas of marketing, grading, and field coordination—especially in the wake of the upcoming peak horticulture season across Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

The Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organized sale, quality control, and interstate promotion of J&K’s high-value horticultural produce, including apples, cherries, walnuts  and vegetables.

The transferred officials are expected to assume their new charges immediately, in line with the department’s directive to maintain uninterrupted service delivery.