Supreme Court Awards Rs. 6 Lakh to Man Acquitted After 6 Years, Faults UP Police Probe  ||  Supreme Court: High Courts Can Restore Power on 50% Deposit in Arbitrary Theft Assessments  ||  Supreme Court: Cooperative Society Cannot Deny RTI Records as Personal if Registrar Can Access Them  ||  SC: CoC Cannot Withdraw Approved Resolution Plan Over Improved Corporate Debtor Finances  ||  Delhi High Court: 24-Week Limit Alone Cannot Restrict Medical Termination of Pregnancy  ||  Allahabad High Court Rejects Challenge to 18% GST on Online Legal Database Services  ||  Madras High Court: FIR Registration Does Not Decide Guilt; Prior Hearing of Accused Not Required  ||  Kerala High Court Orders Speedy Prosecution Sanction Process in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case  ||  Allahabad HC: Missing RT-PCR Report Cannot Bar COVID-19 Compensation if Records Confirm Infection  ||  MP High Court Directs Indore Police to Deploy Volunteers for Reporting Noise Pollution Violations    

Union cabinet decides to prohibit the use of red beacon light - (19 Apr 2017)

Motor Vehicles

In a bid to curb VIP culture from country, Union Cabinet issued a Notification to ban use of red beacon by VIPs from May 1. However, President, Vice-President and Chief Justice of India are exempted from ban. Emergency service vehicles are also exempted, for example fire brigade, ambulance services, police vehicles and other emergency services will be allowed to use the blue beacon. Decision will come into force from May 1, 2017. Ban is applicable to prime minister, union ministers, chief ministers, state cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and judges of High Court and Supreme Court. At present, Rule 108 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 allows the use of red beacons atop the vehicles of VVIPs, or dignitaries notified by State or Centre. Rule 108 (I) and 108 (II) of Motor Vehicles Act, which allow Central and State governments to permit red beacons for dignitaries, would be scrapped/deleted and amended rules will be notified.

Red beacons has been in use atop the vehicles of Politicians and civil servants so that, there can be no obstruction in completing their duty while travelling. But, there has been rampant misuse of red beacons by some officials as well as politicians, who tend to flaunt it as a status symbol. In order to prevent the misuse of red beacons, several provisions were introduced over the years restricting its use. Now, in a historic decision, Cabinet has banned it completely.

Recently, chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab decided to ban use of red beacon or lal batti on their official cars. Delhi, Chief Minister took the lead after coming in power that, no state minister or official would use red beacons. Supreme Court had called it "ridiculous and synonymous to power" back in 2013 and directed States to amend Motor Vehicle Rules to restrict the use of the red beacon and impose an exemplary fine on those who mis-used it. Further, Court said, only constitutional authorities would be allowed to use the red beacon. The government is of considered opinion that, beacons on vehicles are perceived as symbols of VIP culture and have no place in a democratic country. From 1 May, Cars of dignitaries and top government officials will not be seen with red beacon. The decision of Central Government is a historic step towards encouraging healthy democratic values.

Tags : DECISION   RED BEACON   BAN  

Share :        

Disclaimer | Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved