An end to VIP culture? Modi govt bans red beacon cars for babus, ministers

However, President, Vice President, Prime Minister, CJI, LS Speaker will be exempted from the ban

In a major step towards the elimination of VIP culture, the Union cabinet on Wednesday issued notification prohibiting the use of red beacon light on all vehicles. However, President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker will be exempted from the ban. The ban will be implemented from May 1, 2017. 

In effect, the ban applies to Union ministers, chief ministers, state cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and judges of the High Court and Supreme Court.
 

The move comes weeks after the two chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab decided against the use of the red beacon or lal batti on their official cars.
 

In December 2013, a bench of Justices GS Singhvi and C Nagappan directed States to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules to restrict the use of the red beacon and impose an exemplary fine on those who misused it. The court order said only constitutional authorities would be allowed to use the red beacon.

Earlier this year, the Punjab government issued a formal notification prohibiting the use of red beacon light on cars.