DGP equal to Army Chief and can use red beacon: Punjab govt

The Punjab Government has found an ingenious way to satisfy the vanity of state police chief Sumedh Saini by allowing a red beacon on his vehicle, saying he is equal to an Army Chief.

Punjab's Principal Secretary (Transport) S S Channy said that the DGP has been allowed to continue using his red beacon as per the notification issued recently in the wake of directions of the Supreme Court for pruning the list of those allowed red beacon on vehicles.

Referring to December 10, 2013 ruling, Channy said the Supreme Court had allowed the use of red beacons to dignitaries including the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Cabinet Ministers, besides Chiefs of three Defence services and their corresponding dignitaries in the state.

He reasoned that as per this, though there could be no direct comparison between the Army Chief and a DGP, the DGP headed the police force in a state like the Army Chief led his force at the Centre and therefore, the DGP can retain his red beacon.

In pursuant of the Supreme Court directions on use of red beacon, Punjab Government had earlier this week issued instructions to the field staff to "impound vehicles using red beacon without authorization".

According to the notification issued by Secretary Transport, Punjab, those authorised to use red beacons with flashers included Governor, Chief Minister and his Deputy, Cabinet ministers, former Chief Ministers, Chief Justice and Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Speaker, Leader of Opposition and Vice Chairman of state Planning Board.