Srinagar, July 1 -- Srinagar- Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Tariq Ahmed Rather has assumed charge as Director (Media & Communications) and Chief of Media & Communications in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment under the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, officials said on Wednesday.

A Junior Administrative Grade (JAG), Group 'A' officer of the Indian Information Service, Rather took charge at the ministry's headquarters in New Delhi following his transfer from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under an order issued on June 9.

He was welcomed by Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Sudhansh Pant, Joint Secretary Monika P. Dhakate, Director Narendra Vashishta and other s...