New Delhi: In clear violation of rules, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, a chain smoker, carries matchboxes with him on flights since he is not subjected to frisking.

Raju made this confession during his address at the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) event here today when he said that before becoming a minister last year, his matchboxes and lighters were confiscated by airport security. He had lost all his lighters and matchboxes then.