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SRINAGAR: Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad has vacated his rent-free government accommodation in Srinagar's VVIP zone, which used to be a lifetime perk guaranteed to all former chief ministers of J&K till the nullification of Articles 370 and 35A took away the state's special status.

Azad, who was the CM from November 2005 to July 2008, had retained the use of a J&K Bank guesthouse at Zeethyar on Gupkar Road all these years, although he doesn't live in Srinagar. "We have been told that the former CM has vacated our guesthouse, but the administration hasn't handed over the property to us yet,” a senior J&K Bank official told TOI.

Former CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah , both of whom have been in detention since August 5, remain in official possession of large, well-appointed government properties on Gupkar Road. Both will have to vacate these bungalows by November 1, sources said.

The estates department has drawn up an inventory each of all government assets in the two bungalows, including furniture, gadgets and gym equipment, in preparation for the change.

The former CMs had enjoyed lifetime use of government properties and amenities by virtue of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members' Pension Act, 1984, which was amended multiple times till 1996 to include more perks and privileges. These benefits will cease to exist on November 1, when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 takes effect.

Farooq Abdullah is the only living former CM who does not occupy a government property. But the National Conference chief, detained in his private residence under the Public Safety Act, continues to enjoy free medical care, transport and other perks.

Every former CM with the exception of Azad has spent crores of rupees on modernising or renovating their official bungalows to suit their requirements. Omar's bungalow has a modern gym, among other frills.

Hari Niwas Palace on Gupkar Road, which security forces had infamously used as an "interrogation centre" at the peak of militancy in J&K, has been Omar's temporary home since he was escorted there on the morning of August 5 and detained under Section 107 of the CrPC.

A source said he was being occasionally served "home-cooked food" and his choice of pizza and green salad twice a week. "We have also been providing a set of the latest Hollywood releases for his entertainment once every two weeks."

