Most PDP ex-ministers vacate houses, those from BJP averse

JAMMU: Ahead of 30-day deadline after demitting offices, the former Ministers have begun vacating their official bungalows in the winter capital Jammu even as most of them still retain their Srinagar houses.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was the first to vacate the Chief Ministerial bungalow in Jammu barely two days after fall of her government on July 19.
Former Ministers Haseeb Drabu and Priya Sethi who were dropped earlier this year have also vacated the official houses. PDP’s Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, who was Minister for School Education, had also vacated the ministerial bungalow at the Wazarat Road a day after fall of the coalition government.
Sources said that most of the legislators from BJP are still retaining their official houses allotted to them in their capacity as Ministers and they seem a little reluctant to vacate houses. Officials in the Estates department said that Ministers are expected to vacate the houses closer to the deadline and no eviction notices have been issued so far.
Director Estates, Tassaduq Jeelani said that some of the legislators have vacated from the quarters while some are still occupying.
The Director further stated that most of the political appointees have also vacated from the residences while some are vacating at present.
Jeelani further stated that there is still time, but the evacuation process will be started and notices will be issued once the due date is over.