Vyas staying or leaving?

SRINAGAR, August 9: Seven weeks after being elevated as Advisor to the Governor, B B Vyas may resign to join the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.
Vyas, former Chief Secretary, was appointed Advisor on June 20, three days after the fall of PDP-BJP alliance in the state.
A source in New Delhi said that Vyas has been conveyed that Centre wants him to join the GST Council.
“He may put down his papers as Advisor to Governor very soon before joining the GST Council,” the source said.
Another source close to Vyas said he was being preferred for the council due to his “expertise” in handling the financial matters.
“The final decision over his inclusion in the GST council is yet to be taken,” the source said.
Vyas’ public outreach programme scheduled to be held under the aegis of JK Governor’s Grievance Cell on Friday in Jammu has also been cancelled.
Amidst speculations that New Delhi may appoint him as JK Governor, the source said that Vyas was “too junior” for the position.
Vyas was appointed Chief Secretary in April 2017 by the then-Mehbooba Mufti-led government in place of BR Sharma.
Vyas, an IAS officer of 1986 JK batch, has held important positions in his career spanning three decades.
He has served as deputy commissioner for Srinagar and Udhampur districts, divisional commissioner Kashmir, principal secretary finance, and financial commissioner planning.
Before appointed as Advisor to Governor, Vyas was appointed Chief Secretary in April 2017 the then Mehbooba Mufti led government. He had replaced BR Sharma, a 1984 batch IAS officer, who was appointed chief secretary in 2015 after his predecessor Muhammad Iqbal Khandey sought voluntary retirement from service amid growing differences with the government.
Vyas, an IAS officer of 1986 JK batch in his three decade career has held important positions including deputy commissioner Srinagar, DC Udhampur, divisional commissioner Kashmir, principal secretary Finance and financial commissioner, planning and chief minister.
During the PDP-BJP government, he was given three extensions. Vyas, who was due to superannuate in November 2017, was given two extensions of three months each till May 2018 to remain the chief secretary. Later he was given one year extension beyond May 31, 2018. The Personnel Ministry had approved a request from the state government for his extension. The move came days after the Centre amended a rule to provide a longer tenure to the chief secretary. But the total term of the state chief secretary shall not exceed three years or up to the age of 62, the government had said.