State government issues order banning red, yellow beacons

A month after the Centre banned red beacons, the state government has issued a notification withdrawing permissions to instal such lights on the VIP/VVIP and government vehicles.

As per the order issued on Tuesday, even police officers  are barred from using yellow beacons. “All orders permitting use of red or yellow beacons are hereby withdrawn,” the order stated.

Transport department officials noted that ministers and several officials had voluntarily removed beacons after the Centre passed the order on April 19, banning such lights with effect from May 1.

“Many of them got rid of the lights several days before the May 1-deadline. The state government’s order now completes the legal process, allowing action on violators,” a senior official in the department said.

The official said the government would soon pass another order, notifying the procedure for obtaining permission to instal ‘multi-colour lights’ on fire trucks, police department vehicles directly dealing with law and order and vehicles of departments involved in disaster management works.

“Permissions will be given after the official concerned files an application at the transport commissioner’s office seeking permission to use such lights. The rules will be notified within the next few days,” he said.

The state government had welcomed the Centre’s ban with several ministers voluntarily removing the beacon lights within two-three days. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, was caught unawares.

When some news channels asked Siddaramaiah on April 24 regarding the Centre’s ban, he first denied having any knowledge of it. After it was pointed out that the beacon on his car was missing, there were some awkward moments with the chief minister, asking his staff why it was removed. Even after the staff explained that there was a Central order, he was not convinced. “We will talk about this later,” he had told the staff.