BENGALURU: In a new notification, the Transport Department has restricted the use of beacon lights atop motor vehicles to a few key posts of the State. As per the notification even the police cannot use the beacons.
The department said, “the Governor, Chief Minister and cabinet ministers, Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Chief Justice and High Court judges can use beacon lights on their vehicles.”
“It has come to our notice that the chairpersons of boards/corporations/authorities, chairpersons of Commissions for human rights, women and child welfare are using beacons illegally. Even police and revenue officials are not supposed to have beacon lights,” an official of the Transport Department said.
Asked whether senior police officials are authorized to have beacons, the official said, “They (police) have requested to have blue beacon lights on their vehicles but we are yet to issue a notification in this regard. As of now, the usage of the beacon lights by police is also illegal.”
RTO officials are most concerned about the use of beacons by small time politicians and members of regional organisations. “There are oral complaints about these people showing off the beacon lights, which is abuse of law,” the official said.The public can file a complaint against those vehicles which use red beacons with the nearest RTO office or traffic police station either with the registration number or a photo of the vehicle.
RTO officials said the misuse of beacons is rampant in the city. Earlier this year, a 35-year-old West Bengal-based man had cheated people by claiming himself to be the V-C of a medical university. He also claimed of having direct links with top Union ministers. Eventually, he was arrested.