LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Secures Government Nod
LEH: In a move aimed at addressing the shortage of Gazetted officers in the Union Territory, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has authorised the UT Administration of Ladakh to fill vacant Group ‘B’ Gazetted Administrative Service posts through ad-hoc promotions as an interim measure until a regular promotion mechanism is established.
The approval, conveyed by the Ministry in a communication dated July 27, 2026, permits the administration to fill vacancies under the promotion quota on an ad-hoc basis while the process of framing and notifying the relevant Recruitment Rules continues.
The decision follows the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who had taken up the issue with the Ministry, pointing to the prolonged shortage of Group ‘B’ Gazetted officers caused by the absence of notified Recruitment Rules. The delay in regular promotions, he had highlighted, was affecting the functioning of several government departments across the Union Territory.
According to the MHA, the interim arrangement is intended to ensure that administrative work does not suffer while a long-term framework for regular promotions is put in place.
The approval is expected to provide immediate relief to eligible officials awaiting promotion and help departments overcome vacancies that have affected administrative efficiency, decision-making and public service delivery.
Welcoming the decision, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the approval would strengthen governance in Ladakh while addressing the legitimate aspirations of officials awaiting promotion.
“It will help overcome the shortage of Gazetted officers, improve administrative efficiency and ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services. I have directed the Chief Secretary to start the promotion process immediately,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Ministry has directed that all ad-hoc promotions be made strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memorandum dated April 3, 2013, along with subsequent amendments and other instructions, subject to the fulfilment of all prescribed conditions.
The interim measure is expected to bridge the existing manpower gap in the administrative services until the statutory Recruitment Rules governing regular promotions are finalised and notified.
