Shah Faesal, IAS Officer And Civil Services Topper From J&K Quits, Likely To Join Politics

Shah Faesal, IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), who had topped the UPSC civil services exam in 2009 has resigned from his post. Faesal announced his decision to quit civil service through posts on Facebook and Twitter, and has blamed the Union government for his decision.

The decision was welcomed by National Conference leader and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who went on to welcome him into politics.

Abdullah’s tweet has led to speculation that Faesal might join the National Conference, but another tweet by Abdullah clarified that he just “welcomed him to the fold of politicians.”

Faesal has blamed his resignation on the alleged lack of outreach by the Indian government in Kashmir and the “growing culture of intolerance and hate in the mainland India.”

Discussing his future plans in his post on Facebook, Faesal writes that “One of my important tasks here-after will be train and guide aspiring civil servants to help them in achieving this dream”. He will also be addressing a press conference on Friday (11 January).

Faesal, was the managing director of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) before he joined Harvard University in the US for higher studies. He was supposed to return to his department in June this year.