Giriraj Singh removes Red Beacon from car

 In a major move, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to ban the use of red beacon on vehicles attached to almost all  VVIPs, including the Central and state Ministers, reports said.

The move was made by the minister after the Cabinet took the decision on the issue.

Singh tweeted: "Removed Red Beacon from my car."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis‏Verified account also welcomed the move taken by the government and called the step as 'epic'.

"And to celebrate such epic step for strengthening our democracy, I have stopped using the #RedBeacon atop my car !
#PowerToPeople," he said.

The decision taken by the Cabinet will be implemented from May 1.

According to reports, dignitaries belonging to only five categories will  be allowed to use it – the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Thus, using red beacon, which has become very common,  now stands banned even by  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.

Last week, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had reportedly  called a meeting to discuss whether the red beacon should be discarded or restricted to certain dignitaries.