Punjab, Haryana restrict use of red beacons atop vehicles

Chandigarh: The governments of Haryana and Punjab have pruned their respective lists of persons authorised to use red beacons atop their official vehicles, following Supreme Court directions.

In Haryana, according to state Transport Commissioner Sumita Misra, the Governor and the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice are authorised to use red lights with flasher atop their official vehicles.

"When the dignitaries are not travelling in their official vehicles fitted with red beacons, these should be covered with a black cloth," she said. The state Transport Department has directed the owners and users of all other vehicles to "immediately remove red beacons with or without flasher and multi-toned horns" from their vehicles, failing which action as per provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 would be taken against them.

She said as per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989 only vehicles used as ambulance, for fire fighting and salvage purpose, and by police officers, operators of construction equipment and Motor Vehicles Department officers in the course of their duties are allowed to use loud or alarming noise.

In Punjab, the government has issued a fresh notification reflecting the pruned list of dignitaries authorised to use red lights atop their official vehicles within the state.

The government has issued instructions to the field staff to "impound vehicles using red lights without authorisation".

Only those holding 20 important positions have been allowed to use red beacons atop their official vehicles while they are travelling in it.

According to the notification issued by the Transport Secretary, those authorised to use red beacons with flasher are the Governor, the Chief Minister and his Deputy, Cabinet ministers, former Chief Ministers, Chief Justice and judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Assembly Speaker, Leader of Opposition and vice chairman of state Planning Board.

Those allowed to use red beacon without flasher include State Election Commissioner, Accountant Generals, Deputy Speaker and Director General of Police. The states have also decided to issue new authorisation stickers for use of red beacons atop official vehicles to the authorised persons.