In a significant decision to curb the rampant misuse of red beacon by politicians and officers to flaunt their importance in violation of the laws, the State Government has made amendments in the notification for the use of the red light atop vehicles with immediate effect, on Wednesday.
The Governor, Uttarakhand High Court's Chief Justice, Chief Minister , Speaker, the judges of the High Court, the leader of the Opposition and Cabinet Ministers come under the Class I category. These dignitaries are entitled to use flasher red light in their official vehicles while on duty.
Under the Class II category come the Deputy Speaker, Ministers of State, Chief Secretary, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Advocate-General, Chairman of the SC/ST Commission and the Commissioner of the State Election Commission. These dignitaries can use red light without flasher.
Secretary of Transport CS Napalchayal disclosed this, saying that besides these above two categories, no vehicle will be allowed to use the red light. If anyone found using the red light in his vehicle in violation of this rule will be penalised under Central Motor Vehicle Act-1988.
Essential services like ambulance, fire brigade and police escort for maintaining law and order and pilot vehicle for VIP duty cannot use red light under any circumstances. Such vehicle can use blue/white or multi- colour light as per the amended notification. No vehicle can use high pitch horn, hooter or any other deafening sound either. Violators will have to pay hefty amount as penalty under CMVA-1988. As per the Central Rule-1989 none can use the names of Union government, Uttarakhand government, department and the like in name plates of the vehicle he uses. Police officers and enforcement agencies have been categorically asked to implement the order strictly in their jurisdictional limits with immediate effect.