Khetan not a Cabinet Minister, clarifies Delhi Govt

Refuting media reports to the contrary, the Delhi Government on Friday said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC) vice-chairman Ashish Khetan has not been accorded with the status of Cabinet Minister.

The AAP Government, however, confirmed that Khetan as vice-chairman of DDC will be entitled to receive reimbursement of travelling/boarding expenses and remuneration at par with the Ministers of GNCTD in order to facilitate him in discharging his functions.

As per reports, the Delhi Government Cabinet had on July 16 accorded the vice-chairman of DDC with the rank of Cabinet Minister, which is the post now occupied by Khetan.

Meanwhile, Khetan himself told the media today at the Delhi secretariat that it was the decision of the Delhi Cabinet to accord DDC vice-chairman post as Cabinet Minister.

Khetan has been a former journalist and contested the Lok Sabha election from the New Delhi seat.

After the AAP formed the government in Delhi in February 2015, it formed the DDC to make blueprints on party manifesto.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is the Chairman of the commission.

The opposition BJP and Congress have accused the AAP Government and Kejriwal of accommodating party men and close aides in the administration on fat salaries.