CGPWA condoles demise of retired IAS officer Mohd Shafi Pandit

Srinagar, Sept 23: The Central Govt Pensioners' Welfare Association, Jammu (CGPWA) on Monday condoled the demise of former IAS officer, Mohammad Shafi Pandit. Pandit was also the president of the CGPWA.

Pandit passed away at a New Delhi Hospital on the night of 18th September 2024 due to cancer, detected only a month earlier. He was 79.

The handout from the CGPWA said that post superannuation, Pandit started to focus on social work and motivated youth to join civil services.

He was also associated with some well-meaning NGOs relating to Kashmiri music, art & culture, and health well-being. He was so passionate for growth of J&K youth that he launched Ascent Group to impart coaching to civil service aspirants, read the handout.

Kashmir has lost an eminent 'public servant and crusader,' the handout said.

Pandit was dubbed as the "Pride of Kashmir" by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His unparalleled contributions in public service, pensioners' welfare and social work shall be remembered for a long time, the handout said.

Pandit is survived by his wife, Nighat Shafi Pandit, a son and two daughters, settled abroad.

Mr. Pandit joined the CGPWA, J&K, Jammu in May 2013 and remained active in addressing the problems of the pensioners. Initially, a Kashmir Chapter of CGPWA, J&K (Regd) was created and at 2017 AGM at Jammu, Shafi and other members from Kashmir expressed their desire to set up a separate Association for Kashmir which finally came into existence in 2020, of which he became the founding President, the position he held till his sad demise, the handout said further.

He led the Kashmir Association with passion & commitment and attained many milestones in augmenting facilities for the pensioners including, establishment of CGHS Wellness Centre, CGHS empanelment of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura and some private Hospitals providing cashless facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries, said the handout.

With a Postgraduate and a Gold Medal in Geology, Shafi had an initial stint as a lecturer in Amar Singh College, Srinagar, and later qualified IAS in first attempt with fifth All India Rank in 1969.

He was first Kashmiri Muslim to qualify IAS. It was, indeed, a rare honour in J&K at that point of time. He also did post-graduation in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota, USA.

Mr. Shafi held several important positions in J&K and the Centre with distinction and left behind a trail of laudable administrative excellence which became a role model for many youngsters.

His tenure especially as Dy Commissioner, Doda, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commissioner/ Secretary Industries & Commerce, Joint Secretary Social Welfare, Govt of India, Additional Chief Secretary Finance and Chairman J&K Public Service Commission are memorable for the reforms he initiated. He had a brief stint as Chairman, J8K Waqf Board. An illustrious officer with pleasing personality and high intellect.

Mr. Pandit was known for his qualities of administrative innovations, professionalism, diligence, commitment, helpful attitude, integrity & straight forwardness.

At a meeting of the CGPWA, Jammu, held today under the Chairmanship of its President, Mr Kuldeep Khoda IPS (Retd) this condolence resolution has been adopted, conveying members' heartfelt condolences to Nighat Shafi Pandit and his son Murad Maqbool Pandit.

The Association also prayed to the Almighty to grant strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss and eternal peace to the departed noble soul.