Onlykashmir.in News Desk
SRINAGAR: Mamta Yadav, IAS, on Monday assumed charge as Director Information, Jammu and Kashmir, and held an introductory interaction with officers and officials of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). She takes over the department that serves as the Union Territory’s main channel of communication between the government and the public.
Yadav is a 2021 batch officer of the AGMUT cadre and was earlier posted as a Deputy Commissioner in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. She was transferred to Jammu and Kashmir under a Ministry of Home Affairs order dated July 9, 2026, and the Delhi government relieved her on July 31.
Addressing the staff, the Director underscored the pivotal role of the Information Department in ensuring effective communication between the Government and the people. She emphasised transparency, accuracy, timeliness and wider outreach in the dissemination of information on government policies, developmental initiatives and public welfare programmes.
Those four priorities carry particular weight in a region where official information must compete with rumour and misinformation, especially on social media. The DIPR shares information on government programmes with citizens and the media through print, radio, audio-visual and digital channels, and it is a key source of official statements, advisories and press releases for newsrooms across the Union Territory.
Emphasising the importance of adapting to the evolving media landscape, the Director called for greater use of digital platforms and modern communication tools to strengthen the department’s outreach and public engagement. As audiences move from newspapers and broadcast bulletins to mobile screens and social feeds, her message pointed to the need for the department to reach people where they now get their information, and to do so quickly and credibly.
Joint Director Information (Headquarters) Dr Zahoor Ahmad Raina and Deputy Director Information (PR&AV) Javid Ahmad Rather were present on the occasion, along with other senior officers and officials of the DIPR.
Later, the Director inspected various sections of the department and took a detailed assessment of their functioning. The visit gave her a first-hand look at how the directorate’s wings operate day to day, and marked an early step in familiarising herself with the department she now leads.
For journalists and the wider public who depend on timely government information, the new Director’s stress on accuracy, speed and digital outreach will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile, Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) today accorded an affectionate farewell to Shreya Singhal, outgoing Director Information, on her transfer as Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, acknowledging her valuable contributions, professional commitment and leadership during her tenure in the Department.
The farewell gathering was attended by Director Information, Mamta Yadav; Joint Director Information (Hqr), Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Raina; Joint Director Information Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari; Deputy Director Information (PR/AV), Javid Ahmad Rather; Deputy Director Information (PR) Kashmir, Mohammad Rafiq Zullah; Deputy Director Information (Hqr) Kashmir, Zubair Ahmad Lattoo; other officers and officials of the Department, who expressed their appreciation for her administrative acumen and dedicated efforts towards strengthening the Department’s information dissemination mechanism and enhancing its public outreach initiatives.
The officers and officials recalled her encouraging leadership, approachable demeanor and emphasis on teamwork, coordination and accountability. They acknowledged her contribution towards fostering a positive working environment and motivating the staff to uphold the highest standards of public service and professional integrity.
The Department also wished Shreya Singhal good health, happiness and success in all her future endeavours.
