J&K: With The Shield Of Article 370 Gone, Former CMs Set To Lose Their Official Bungalows

Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir are set to lose their life term perk of living in official bungalows after the abrogation of the Article 370 by the Centre, reports Times of India.

According to the report, Article 370 has so far insulated the former CMs from the purview of the Supreme Court's verdict that occupying a Constitutional post does not guarantee use of an official residence for life.

Citing 'security reasons', former CMs Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad have retained their rent-free government bungalows in Srinagar's most secured area of Gupkar Road neighbourhood.

While in power, both Omar and Mufti cumulatively spent around Rs 50 crore from the public exchequer on renovating the bungalows to suit their tastes that included a gym and sauna. Mufti had even modernised her father's private house using the funds under the roads and buildings department.

While Omar's father Farooq Abdullah lives in his own house, he reportedly claims rent against the house he is entitled to as a former CM.

Apart from bungalows, the former CMs have also been enjoying a host of other privileges that include bullet-proof vehicles, personal assistants, peons along with other post-retirement benefits.

After the Supreme Court annulled an Uttar Pradesh government's law that guaranteed an official bungalow for life for all the former CMs, the former state of J&K continued to be the only state to defy the apex court's order thanks to Article 370 which had negated the jurisdiction of SC's orders.