Despite the Centre’s disapproval to the VIP culture in the country, some choose to think out of the box. On Monday, West Bengal PWD Minister Arup Biswas and Chairman of Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) were seen using red beacons atop their vehicles.
Notably, the decision against using red beacons was in order to end the VIP culture and has been effective since May 1. Abiding by the amendments, no official, whether from the Centre or a state, is to be allowed to use red beacons.
“Our government has not yet banned red beacon. So we are not bound to follow the other instructions,” said Biswas in his defence.
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The Centre has only allowed emergency vehicle such as fire brigade and ambulances are allowed to use blue beacons. While emergency vehicles on duty such as the police, defence and paramilitary forces can use multi-colored beacon lights having red, blue and white colours.
Significantly, only 5 categories of government officials have been released from this rule namely– 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.
