End of VIP culture: Modi Govt mulling to limit red beacon to 9 constitutional dignitaries

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New Delhi, March 18: The Modi Government is all set to put an end to the use of red beacon by VIPs. If all goes well, the red beacon would only be used by five Constitutional dignitaries at the Centre and four in the States.

According to Times of India report, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has sought views of Union Ministers on the issue before a final proposal takes shape.

The report said that the proposal limit 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.

In December 2013, the Supreme Court had held that red beacon be allowed to be used only by persons holding constitutional posts and high dignitaries to prevent its misuse.

It had also asked the Centre to issue a fresh list of people eligible for using red beacon on their vehicles and also asked it 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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