Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the Punjab Government on Monday pruned the lists of persons authorised to use red beacons atop their official vehicles. 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 by bringing it down to 20 posts.
The Government has issued instructions to the field staff to “impound vehicles using red lights without authorisation”.
From now on, only those holding 20 “important” positions have been allowed to use red beacons atop their official vehicles while traveling.
As per the notification issued by the state Transport Secretary, those authorised to use red beacons with flasher are the State Governor, Chief Minister and his Deputy, Cabinet Ministers, former Chief Ministers, the Chief Justice and the judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the State Assembly Speaker, leader of Opposition and vice-chairman of the 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.