Indian PM, ministers won’t use red beacon atop car
In a bid to curb the VIP culture that often causes inconvenience to commoners on the streets, the Indian cabinet today decided to abolish the practice of putting red beacons atop official cars of most dignitaries, including that of the prime minister.
Only three categories would be allowed to use the red beacon -- the President, Vice President and the Chief Justice of India, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
The decision will come into effect from May 1, 2017. Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari made the announcement after the cabinet meeting today.
"Red beacon will be removed from cars of PM and all ministers. It will be allowed only on emergency service vehicles from May 1 to end VIP culture," Gadkari said, before becoming the first minister to dismantle the red beacon from his car.
However, fire brigade, ambulance services, police vehicles and other emergency services will be allowed to use the blue beacon, Jaitley said while addressing a press briefing.
Terming the incumbent government as a government of the common masses, Gadkari said, "The decision to abolish the VIP culture of beacon lights and sirens was made with a view to strengthening healthy democratic values in the country".
"The government has considered the opinion that beacon on vehicles is perceived as symbols of VIP culture and has no place in a democratic country. It has no relevance whatsoever," Gadkari reasoned.
In many states, even legislators blatantly use beacon lights. Even use of hooters by ministers is not legal as these can be used only by police vehicles, he said.
A detailed notification in this regard will be issued soon and there is no need for any amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act, the minister added.
In recent meetings, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reportedly been emphatic about ending red beacon culture that has come to symbolise VIP status causing public inconvenience.
On April 7, when Modi had gone to the Palam airport in Delhi to receive Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a departure from protocol, the convoy of his cars moved "in normal traffic" on the streets, which means no security restrictions were in place throughout the route.
Usually, policemen put up barricades and block every route that dignitaries take, leaving people waiting for a long time for normal traffic to resume.
Earlier this month, the video of an ambulance carrying a wounded child being blocked by policemen because of a visiting dignitary's convoy in Delhi had gone viral on social media.
Comments