New Delhi: Union cabinet has today taken a decision to regulate red beacon light atop VIP vehicles. Ban will be in implementation from May 1.

Red lights atop vehicles will go from all vehicles across the country with effect from 1st May, said union finance minister Arun Jaitley while briefing on decisions taken by union cabinet today.

Jaitley said this was Prime Minister’s decision which he reported to union cabinet.

Jaitley said the cabinet has decided to do some far reaching amendments to Central Motors Vehicle Rules approval for which has been sought by Prime Minister. He said the amendments will take some time and will be implemented with effect from 1st May.

‘There’s a rule 108 which deals with use of red, white and blue beacon lights. Sub rule I and its sub rule III states that some categories of vehicles of high dignitaries that are specified by Central govt or State govt can put up red light atop vehicle. Red light can be carried on vehicles of certain high dignitories specified by the State or Central govt. The govt of India is now abolishing this rule from rule book which means neither in Centre nor in State any dignitary whom Centre of State govt can nominate that he can carry red light atop vehicle. It means from 1st May no person in this country and no vehicle will be able to carry red light. There’s no exception in this and that is because the rule that empowers the government to specify such dignitary is being abolished,’ Jaitley said.

‘There’s one more rule Rule 108(2) which gives right to State governments to decide that blue light with flasher will be on which vehicles. As per existing rule State govt can specify it. This rule is being changed and after amendment, only defined emergency services countrywide such as ambulance, fire brigade or police vehicle will have provision of blue light countrywide. And therefore with amendment of two rules consequential changes will come to effect, no one will be able to use red light, and only specified emergency services will be allowed to use blue light,’ Jaitley said.

DeshGujarat