In spite of state government drastically cutting down the VIPs’ list for use of beacons in their cars, several of them were still found using them in the twin cities.
There are about 350 VIPs in the city who use either red or blue beacon on their vehicles. “Of them, only 90 are permitted to use the lights, while the others are all illegal,” a senior police official says, adding that the unauthorised usage of the beacons is a big security issue in the city.
And people who violate the rules include a few IAS, IPS officers, district revenue, income tax and GHMC officials etc.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that only people holding constitutional posts and dignitaries can use red beacon lights on their vehicles. It has also asked the Central and state governments to revise the list of people who are eligible for using the beacon light within three months.
As per Rule 313 of the Andhra Pradesh Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the vehicle of the governor and vehicles escorting the governor’s car, chief secretary to the government, director-general of police, chief justice and judges of the High Court, Lokayukta, chairman of the AP Administrative Tribunal and vice-chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal are allowed red light on top of their vehicles. As per Rule 314 of the AP Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the chief minister, all ministers, chairman of the state planning board, speaker and deputy of the legislative Assembly, and chairman and vice-chairman of the legislative Council are permitted to use blue light on top of their vehicles.
But the rules also state that if the vehicle is travelling without the dignitaries, then the light should not be used and must be covered in black. Having the red beacon on vehicles has become a fashion and status symbol, a large number of people are misusing the facility.