Soon after the model code of conduct was over, Punjab Government on Monday issued notifications for the usage of different coloured beacons for different rank of Government dignitaries and officers.
The notification was issued in compliance to the Supreme Court’s directions restricting the use of red beacon. A Division Bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi, in its December 10, 2013 ruling, had restricted the use of red beacons on Government cars to only 20 dignitaries at the Centre and their corresponding figures in the state.
All States across the country were asked to comply within three months. To accommodate the dignitaries, who did not find any place in Apex Court’s list of red and blue beacons, the State Government has come out with the option of using other colours like amber or yellow.
As per the new notification, the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Police Officers in the pay and rank of Director General of Police, ADGPs, Zonal IGPs, Deputy Commissioners, District and Sessions Judges, City Police Commissioners and SSPs posted as District Police heads have been authorized to use the amber beacon.
‘The amber beacon would be used only when the dignitary or officer is on duty, and when they are on personal visit, the light shall be covered with black or white cover. In case the vehicles fitted with amber light on top front, are not carrying the dignitary or officer, beacon should not be used and should be covered with black or white cover’, said the state Transport Department spokesperson.
He said that the stickers of amber lights would be issued by the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Punjab, against the mentioned post. ‘The details of stickers, including sticker number and the post or designation along with vehicle number, would be intimated by him to the State Transport Commissioner, Punjab, Chandigarh’, he added.
Besides, the ambulances, vaccine carrier vehicles, fire and emergency services vehicles, disaster management vehicles and recovery vehicles, vehicles on law and order duty, checking squads of motor vehicles department, checking squads of traffic police and PCR vehicles, VIP escort vehicles and patrol cars have been authorized to use multi-coloured (red and blue) flashing light bar or console.
Earlier notifications for the use of red beacon was also issued, according to which Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, former Governors, former Chief Ministers, Chief Justice and Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, vice-chairman of State Planning Board and leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha were authorized to use red beacon with flasher on the top front of the vehicle.
Similarly, Election Commissioner of Punjab, Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Advocate General, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Chairman, Punjab Minority Commission, Chairman, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission and Chairman, Punjab Public Service Commission were authorized to use red beacon without flasher on the top front of their vehicle.
Spokesperson said that four vehicles of General Administration (Protocol Branch) were also sanctioned for the usage of red light as and when the dignitaries from outside visit Punjab, who have been authorized to use red light by the Government of India, their respective states and Union Territories.