Kamal Ghorui
SRINAGAR: J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday evening accorded Nasir Aslam Wani, adviser of CM Omar Abdullah, the rank and privileges of a cabinet minister, according to an official order.Omar’s party National Conference welcomed the decision.The order said Wani would receive a monthly consolidated salary, rent-free accommodation and transport facilities.Omar appointed Wani as adviser shortly after he took oath as the first CM of the Union territory of J&K in Oct 2024, but the latter had no formal status.In Oct last year, the CM had lamented about Wani not being granted Cabinet minister status and related benefits as the file was caught in red tape.Wani, a former legislator, entered the Assembly in 2008 after he won from Amirakadal, which includes Lal Chowk. He served as minister of state in Omar’s cabinet, handling significant portfolios like tourism and home. However, he lost his seat in the 2014 election to Altaf Bukhari of the PDP. Wani suffered another defeat in 2024, losing the Kupwara seat to PDP’s Fayaz Ahmad Mir. Despite the electoral setbacks, he has remained influential in Omar’s govt.
