Parvez Dewan, a 1977 batch IAS officer of the J&K cadre, has been appointed as Tourism Secretary, Government of India. Dewan has taken over from R H Khwaja who is now Secretary (Mines). Prior to his new assignment, Dewan was Secretary of the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry. He started his career by joining the IAS and held several positions in the State and Centre. He was Secretary (Tourism) of J&K from 1992 to 1994, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of J&K between 1998 and 2001 He later held the position of Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir from 2001 to 2003. In addition, he was Chairman of the State Co-operative Bank from 2002 to 2003.
In his earlier stint, he also served as CMD of the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) between April 2006 and December 2009. ITDC is said to have recorded its three highest-ever profits under him. He is better known for having penned several books.
