Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khandey.
Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khandey has decided to resign reportedly over differences with the ruling coalition.
Reports suggested that Mr Khandey would seek voluntary retirement.
The 1978 batch IAS officer became chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir in 2013, when the National Conference-Congress alliance led by Omar Abdullah was in power.
Soon after Mufti Mohammad Saeed took charge at the head of a People's Democratic Party-BJP alliance in March, there were reports of his differences with the Chief Secretary.
Speculation peaked last week when Mr Khandey's stayed away from a state cabinet meeting.
The chief secretary has to attend the cabinet meetings as part of duties. But sources close to Mr Khandey said he was on leave on Friday, the day of the meeting, because of the death of a relative.