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What it means to be Jammu and Kashmir chief minister

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In terms of public attention, prestige, privileges and facilities, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a coveted position in the country, next only to the prime minister. But the post also brings with it a lot of tension, stress, responsibilities and challenges for the incumbent. So much so that some politicians such as Omar Abdullah and his predecessor Ghulam Nabi Azad are reported to have lost several kg in weight after taking helm in the state.

The tensions associated with the post are evident. The ministers in the Omar Abdullah government confide that the charming and effervescent young face, became recluse after taking over as he had to face a tumultuous phase, starting with Shopian rape case in 2009 and a bloody summer agitation of 2010. His predecessor ever smiling Azad, though starting two work shifts and a punishing 18 hours work schedule for himself, also got consumed by 2006 agitation on sex scam that unveiled alleged involvement of many politicians and finally his government tripped in 2008 due to Amarnath land row.

The salary and allowances on paper are not so huge, but a fleet of more than 20 Range Rover cars, an exclusive aircraft, two helicopters and a palatial palace-like mansion all at the cost of the tax-payer makes the J&K chief minister the most privileged political head. In other states, while chief ministers are supposed to vacate their official houses at the end of their tenure, in J&K, they can retain them, owing to security reasons, thanks to an amendment in the rules made almost two decade ago.

The families of three past chief ministers are protected by 650-member Special Security Group (SSG), a special police unit trained on the lines of Special Protection Group (SPG) that guards the prime minister. Raised in the year 2000, the elite SSG protects the families of Abdullahs (Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah), Muftis (Mufti Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti), besides Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and his family especially when they are in J&K. Headed by a DIG-rank officer (called director), SSG maintains its own control room, communication network, a fleet of more than 100 vehicles, radio jammers, special arms and sophisticated equipment, a series of mine-detecting, exploding and protecting gadgetry that includes lifesaving bullet proof blankets and jackets. It operates from three stations – one each at Jammu, Srinagar and Delhi.

The chief minister also flies by chopper for short distances even within the Srinagar city and uses the small aircraft King Air-350 for longer distances. By an average, these flying machines cost the exchequer around Rs 5 crore a year including fuel and maintenance. But what makes the real big difference is that chief ministers in J&K enjoys certain amenities like an official house, an assistant and security even after demitting office. In 2009 when Omar Abdullah became the chief minister, the government constructed an impressive mansion, at the cost of Rs 3.40 crore. He will retain it, even if he fails to retain his post. The mansion, built at the cost of the exchequer has two bedrooms, a dining hall, a kitchen, a mini-theatre and underground recreational room. His close associates say, a small gym and sauna was meticulously built.

Given the security situation in the state, a government source says the chief minister also supervises a secret fund of Rs 50 crore every year. "There is no audit for this fund and it is disbursed at the will of the chief minister to politicians, workers etc," said an officer.

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