WB Min flaunts red beacon, says not bound by Centre's orders
WB PWD Minister Arup Biswas was on Monday seen flaunting red beacon atop his car despite the Centre's month-old decision to ban its use to end VIP culture. "Our government has not yet banned red beacon. So we are not bound to follow the other instructions," Biswas said. The beacon ban, effective from May 1, exempted vehicles of emergency services.
Despite the Centre's ban, West Bengal PWD Minister Arup Biswas and Chairman of Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) on Monday were seen using red beacons atop their vehicles. "Our government has not yet banned red beacon. So we are not bound to follow the other instructions," ANI quoted Biswas.Seeking an end to VIP culture, the Centre last month took a decision against using red beacons.Following the amendment, which was effective from May 1, no official, whether from the Centre or a state, is to be allowed to use red beacons.Only vehicles of emergency services such as fire brigade and ambulances are exempted from the new rule and allowed to use blue beacons.The Centre has allowed emergency vehicles on duty for maintaining law and order, to use multi-coloured beacon lights having red, blue and white colours.The notification issued in pursuance of powers conferred on the Central Government under sub-rule 4 of rule 108 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 said that the multi-coloured light shall not be put to use when the vehicle is not on the designated duty.Only five categories of people are exempt from the new rule - the President of India, the Vice President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. Also Read:PM Modi to shun red beacon in government's big crackdown on VVIP culture