Privileges given to former IOK chief ministers withdrawn

HELD SRINAGAR: The Modi government on Wednesday withdrew various privileges and perks including rent-free accommodation to former chief ministers of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) by repealing the relevant legal provision, foreign media reported on Thursday.

The IOK has four former chief ministers including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad who were availing these privileges or some of them. However, Mufti is in incarceration since August 5 last year.

Under Section 3-C of the State Legislature Members’ Pension Act 1984, former chief ministers of the erstwhile state which included Ladakh which is now a separate Union Territory (UT) were entitled to rent-free furnished accommodation, expenditure to the limit of Rs35,000 per annum for furnishing of the residential accommodation, free telephone calls up to the value of Rs48,000 per annum, free electricity to the extent of Rs1,500 per month, car, petrol, medical facilities, driver etc.