New Delhi: India’s officialdom is set to come down a notch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet announced on Wednesday that the red beacon lights that announce the presence of a very important person on the road will be taken off the cars of all government officials starting May 1.
The move will impact official vehicles of dignitaries across the country — including the President, the Prime Minister and Union ministers.
“From May 1, no red beacon will be allowed atop any official vehicle. There will be no exceptions,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.
A decision to this effect was taken at a Union Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
Jaitley said the government will bring about the necessary amendment to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, in this regard.
“Rule 108 deals with use of red, white and blue lights on vehicles. Rule 108-1 (III) says the Centre and states can specify dignitaries who can use beacons on their (official) vehicles. It is a central rule and is being abolished from the rule book,” Jaitley said.
He said it means no dignitary at the Centre or in states could henceforth use beacons on their vehicles.
The minister said a rule that empowers the Centre and state governments to use blue beacons with flasher is also being changed.
“Only defined emergency services will be allowed to use blue beacons with flasher,” Jaitley said.
The decision also intends to strengthen democratic values in the country, he said.
For decades, the blinking red light atop government cars has been the bane for millions of regular Indians. They’re seen as a display of the power and importance of the official riding the car. The cars would run a red traffic light with impunity and cut off regular vehicles at will.
Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari says the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government wanted to abolish the culture of VIPs throwing their weight around and using red beacons and sirens to disrupt traffic.
Vehicles involved in emergency and relief and rescue services, ambulances, and fire services, will, however, be allowed to put blue beacons, the minister said.
