(Tribune)
Well ahead of the May 1 deadline when a ban on the use of red beacons atop vehicles will be effective, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat removed the red beacon from his official car this morning. As soon as the news spread about the Chief Minister’s decision, other Cabinet ministers too followed suit. “I am against the VIP culture and fully support our Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s decision,” said Prakash Pant, Uttarakhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
He had removed the red beacon yesterday. Now all nine Cabinet ministers, including the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Speaker, have also opted to remove the red beacons from their official vehicles.Also, the Trivendra Singh-led BJP government is also planning to bring in a proposal in the Cabinet doing away with 21 red beacons (equipped with flashers) meant for the Governor, the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, the Chief Minister, the Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, Cabinet ministers and the Leader of the Opposition.