Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has assigned Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) School Education Department, Shantmanu, IAS the additional charge of Chairman, JKBOSE, and Director, SCERT as an interim arrangement.
As per an official order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), a copy of which lies with JKNS, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975 (Act No. XXVIII of 1975), the Government hereby orders that Mr. Shantmanu, IAS (AGMUT:1991), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), School Education Department, shall discharge the functions of Chairman, J&K Board of School Education and Director, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), J&K, in addition to his own duties, as an interim arrangement, till further orders.”
The move comes shortly after the one-month extension of incumbent Chairman Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas ended on February 25. Manhas was appointed on deputation for two years starting January 25, 2023, and was expected to vacate office on January 25, 2025. However, despite no extension orders from the Chief Minister, the J&K government extended his tenure for another month, which ended on February 25.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department shortlisted 14 candidates for the posts of Chairman JKBOSE and Director SCERT, calling them for an interaction on March 5.
The J&K government had reconstituted the Search Committee on December 13, 2024, to recommend candidates for the positions. The committee is led by the Administrative Secretary of the Agricultural Production Department, with members from the School Education Department (SED), General Administration Department (GAD), and Higher Education Department (HED). Additionally, the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Kashmir (KU) and the University of Jammu (JU) are part of the panel. (JKNS)
