New Delhi: Putting an end to the rampant misuse of red beacon lights on cars that causes inconvenience to the general public, the Narendra Modi led NDA government is mulling to limit the use of red beacons to five Constitutional dignitaries at the Centre and four in the States.
According to a report by Times of India, Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has sought views of his key cabinet colleagues on the issue before a final proposal is drafted.
The report said that the proposal would only provide this privilege to the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Chief Justice of India at the Centre, and at the State the red beacon will only be entitled to Governor, CM, Assembly Speaker and Chief Justice of High Court.
It is reported that Gadkari has sought opinion of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the issue.
Gadkari has attached all the communication among different ministries. He has also forwarded legal opinion and suggestions his ministry has received so far, the report said.
In December 2013, the Supreme Court had directed the government to prune the number of VIPs using red beacons to just high dignitaries and those holding constitutional post.
It had also directed the Centre to issue a fresh list of people eligible for using red beacon on their vehicles and also asked it to amend the rule. The court's order was passed on a PIL filed by Uttar Pradesh resident Abhay Singh on misuse of red beacon.
It had said the red light has become a status symbol and that police personnel, who are put on duty for giving security cover to VIPs, should be deployed for better purposes like making the roads safe for women.
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