Beacon use: GAD passes the buck
Hyderabad: After its series of directions were ignored, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered states to ban the indiscriminate fixing of red beacons atop vehicles, but the state government has thus far been reluctant.
The general administration department has shied away from drawing up a list of people who can be allowed to use the red beacons. This has resulted in wannabes asking the traffic police for permission to use the status-boosters.
Interestingly, in reply to an RTI query on the subject, the GAD palmed off any responsibility in the matter. “The subject matter regarding fixing Red Beacon/Blue Beacon or other such matter pertains to the Transport and Home department,” the GAD said.
Transport officials however say that issuing permission for the beacons?is not in their purview. Police officials admit to the largescale misuse of red beacons, but say they can’t take action unless the GAD directs them to do so.
A high ranking police official said, “We haven’t got any list of people who can use red beacons.” Another senior traffic police official said they cannot take action unless specifically directed by the GAD. Police officials say the government is deliberately unwilling to take a stand.
Police estimates that there could be 350 people who use red beacons in Hyderabad alone. Even district collectors ignore the rule and use red beacons on their cars.
The Intelligence department had written to the government asking it to restrict the list of beacon-equipped cars, owing to the security risk. The Centre has on several occasions written to the government to regulate the use of beacons.
With no action on its earlier directions, the SC on Tuesday asked state to disallow expansion of lists of people entitled to read-beacon cars, and to strictly follow the norms of the Motor Vehicles Act.