New Delhi: In a major move towards ending VIP culture in India, the Union Cabinet this morning banned the use of red beacon on vehicles attached to dignitaries, including Central and State Ministers and other VVIPs. The decision taken by the Cabinet will be implemented from May 1.

Five categories would be allowed to use it – the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

In effect, the ban applies to Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, State Cabinet Ministers, bureaucrats and Judges of the High Court and Supreme Court. The Cabinet also announced that the use of red beacon will be allowed on vehicles attached to emergency services, like ambulance and Police.

This move is directly in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a transparent government, where no leaders enjoy additional benefits.  Last week, it was reported that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has called a meeting to discuss whether the red beacon should be discarded or restricted to certain dignitaries.   

The Road Transport Ministry had presented three options to the PMO after holding consultations with senior Cabinet ministers and one of them was to end the use of red beacons.

The proposal, however, had been pending for over one-and-a-half years. During this period, States were asked to submit the details of persons entitled to have red beacon on their vehicles.

The newly formed governments in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have already taken steps to either end or restrict VIP culture.