Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 11: As per a notification issued by Karnataka government, revenue officials have been barred from using red beacons atop their vehicles like their police department counterparts. While the other officials are still hesitant to follow this order and get deprived of this privilege-cum-status symbol, Dakshina Kannada (DK) district deputy commissioner (DC) N Prakash, has emerged as a model for others by removing the red light atop his vehicle on Monday June 10.

The government had withdrawn all its earlier orders relating to the display of red beacons by the official vehicles of dignitaries and certain government officials, and issued a fresh notification in their place. This was done to fall in line with the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court in a recent case in this connection. As per the new guidelines, VIP red top lights can be fitted on the vehicles of only a handful of dignitaries and officials.

Those who will continue to enjoy this privilege include Governor, chief minister, ministers, assembly speaker, chairperson of the legislative council, chief justice of the high court and judges of the high court.

Those heading various corporations, boards, authorities etc., who enjoy a status equal to that of ministers, as well as those heading tribunals and commissions and enjoying the status of the high court judges, have been barred from using the red lights on their vehicles henceforth. Likewise, none of the other government servants, as well as revenue and police department officials, have been authorized to make use of these red lights.

In a release, under secretary in the department of transport, K Beeresh, said that the police escort vehicles looking after security of dignitaries should sport blue lights under section 108(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 atop their vehicles.