Banning red beacons an attempt to get rid of British reminiscences: Govt.

Justifying the move to ban the use of red beacon on vehicles attached to dignitaries, including the central and state ministers, the government on Wednesday said this is a historic decision and is an attempt to get rid of British or Colonial reminiscences.

Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the banning of red beacon is a historic decision, adding one should be recognized by his work rather than by the beacon on the car.

"The very temperament of the honourable Prime Minister is to go closer to people, he has made an attempt to get rid of the British or Colonial reminiscences which was there through red lights or beacons. It is a great decision. This is a decision which will be loved by a common man," Rudy told ANI.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel while talking on the same said there is no such need for the red beacon, adding there are some more things that should be used only by selected people.

"According to me, the Cabinet has taken a very good decision. And in reality, there is no such need of these red beacons. It is only needed during emergency. We are the servants of people and not leaders, who roam here and there by using these red beacons. The Prime minister has taken a very good decision. I am also not using it from today onwards," Goel said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Minister of State for Human Resources and Development (HRD) Upendra Kuswaha said this is a good decision, adding it sends a message to all that the lawmakers are also common people.

"Banning of red beacon is a good decision. Most of the time, the people think that we are different from the common man. So, this is a message to all that we are also common. I welcome this decision," Kushwaha said.

With a view to strengthening healthy democratic values in the country, the Central Government took another historic step today. The Union Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today decided to do away with beacons of all kinds atop all categories of vehicles in the country.

The government is of the considered opinion that beacons on vehicles are perceived symbols of VIP culture and have no place in a democratic country. They have no relevance whatsoever. Beacons, however, will be allowed on vehicles concerned with emergency and relief services, ambulance, fire service etc.

In the light of this decision, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will make necessary provisions in the law.

As per reports, the President of India, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Lok Sabha Speaker will only be allowed to use the red beacon.

It was reported last week that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had called a meeting to discuss whether the red beacon should be discarded or restricted to certain dignitaries.