Baba Ramdev rejects cabinet rank

Yoga guru Ramdev today turned down Haryana government’s offer of cabinet rank status, saying he was not looking for a ministerial post and wants to remain a ‘baba’.

Ramdev made the announcement at a function organised by the Haryana government in Rai, about 60 km from Delhi, to honour him. Baba Ramdev however will continue to be State’s brand ambassador to promote Yoga and Ayurveda.

The opposition Congress had opposed the move of making Ramdev brand ambassador and subsequently being granted the Cabinet status rank.

Ramdev said that he had worked selflessly to realise the mission of making Modi as the country’s Prime Minister by treating it as “rashtra dharma”.“Service to humanity is my only objective, I’m not looking for any ministerial position or status,” Ramdev said.

On April 13, the Haryana Government had decided to give status of Cabinet Minister to Ramdev, for which a notification was to be issued later on. Official sources had said that those granted “status equivalent to Cabinet minister” were not entitled to salary and allowances payable to a legislator sworn-in as a Cabinet minister.They are, however, entitled to protocol facilities, including escort and state guest status at official rest houses.