Himachal govt follows suit, bans use of red beacons by VIPs

Chief Justice and Judges of Himachal High Court excluded from notification

The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday issued an official notification, prohibiting the use of red/amber/blue light on all vehicles barring those belonging to a few high dignitaries, a step aimed to end the VIP culture in the state.

"In pursuance of the powers conferred under clause (iii) of proviso of sub-rule (l) of Rule 108 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, the Governor is pleased to withdraw the use of Red/Amber/Bluelight on the top of their official vehicle, except Chief Justice and Judges of Himachal High Court," a notification issued by Raj Bhawan said.

The orders were implemented immediately in the secretariat and scores of government vehicles leaving the secretariats in the evening were without red or blue beacons.

Governor Acharya Dev Vrat, Transport minister G S Bali, former chief minister P K Dhumal and some other leaders have already removed their and blue lights from their vehicles.

Seeking to end VIP culture, the Union Cabinet had on April 19 decided that beacon light will be removed from all vehicles, including that of the Prime Minister, from May 1.