
Yoga guru Ramdev has been given cabinet minister status in Haryana
Yoga guru Ramdev will enjoy the status of cabinet minister in Haryana, where he was made brand ambassador earlier this year.
"Baba Ram Dev Brand Ambassador for promotion of Yoga and Ayurveda in Haryana will be given status equivalent to Cabinet Minister," tweeted state Health Minister Anil Vij today, after a cabinet meeting.
The government plans to make it official and felicitate Ramdev in a grand ceremony in Panchkula on April 21.
Sources say the saffron-robed yoga teacher will now be entitled to a ministerial bungalow and salary. Even now, he is given a car with a beacon, security personnel and an escort vehicle whenever he visits the state.
The ruling BJP had recently been sharply attacked in the assembly by the opposition Congress for "going out of its way" to appease Ramdev.
The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have given prime importance to yoga.
Last week, PM Modi launched a portal for International Day of Yoga while visiting the UNESCO headquarters in France. The UN declared June 21 as World Yoga Day soon after PM Modi suggested it in his address to the UN general assembly last year.