SHILLONG: As the deadline of the Supreme Court on the use of Red Beacon lights expired on Monday, the State Transport department has specified that a red light of a bulb not more than seven watt power, may be fitted on the roof top of a category of vehicles of respective dignitaries like Governor, Chief Minister, Former Governor, Deputy Chief Ministers, Chief Justice of High Court of Meghalaya, Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers of State, Chairman, Planning Board, Former Chief Minister, Leaders of opposition in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Judges of High Court of Meghalaya, Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Ministers of State of Meghalaya, Deputy Ministers of Meghalaya, Chief Secretary, Advocate General of Meghalaya, Chairman, Meghalaya Public Service Commission.
The notification of the Transport department also stated that any vehicle carrying the dignitary formally designated as equivalent in rank, status and privileges to those dignitaries referred to above shall be entitled to use red light as per corresponding privileges.
According to the notification, in case the vehicle fitted with red light on top front is not carrying the dignitaries, then such red light shall not be used and shall be covered by a black cover.
“The dignitaries who are entitled for use of red light may fit such lights on their official vehicles and-not on their private vehicle(s),” notification said.
The men in uniform, operational agencies which require un-hindered access to the roads for performance of their duty; those engaged in emergency duties such as ambulance services, fire services, emergency maintenance etc. and police vehicles used as escorts or pilots or for law and order duties shall not be entitled to have red lights but lights of other colours- blue, white, multi-coloured after obtaining the approval of competent authority.
All other unauthorized persons using such red light in their vehicles shall be liable to be persecuted as per provisions of law, adding the notification will take effect immediately.
It may be mentioned that The Supreme Court had on December 10 last issued an order directing all the states and union territories to restrict the use of red beacons and also multi-toned horn, giving the dead line of three months for the Government to implement the order.