New Delhi: A day after the Narendra Modi government banned the use of red beacon lights atop vehicles carrying VIPs, Union information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday clarified that there were no plans to curtail the security of VIPs.
Naidu said that the government treats everyone as equals and believes that every person is a VIP.
The minister’s comments came after concerns were expressed in some sections that the move to ban the use of red beacons could lead to cutting down of security for persons with a threat perception. “With regard to security, it is necessary in the interest of the country because important people have to be protected. Otherwise, there is no preferential treatment,” I&B minister Naidu said.
The Union Cabinet had on Wednesday cleared a proposal that the red beacon lights will not be used by anybody from May 1 onwards, including VVIPs like the Prime Minister, Presidents and Judges. The rule pertaining to use of red beacon lights (Rule 108 [1] and [2]) has been virtually scrapped from the Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.
Only emergency services vehicles, like ambulances and fire brigades, can sport blue beacon lights. “I have not been using the red light since the beginning but I never publicise it. I hope everybody will follow the decision,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop for government officials engaged in social media outreach on Thursday, Naidu said this medium of communication cannot be censored.
