State waiting for Centre’s red beacon missive

SHILLONG: The State Government is waiting for the Centre’s directive on use of red beacons by ministers, bureaucrats and other officials.
Transport Commissioner and Secretary T. Dkhar told The Shillong Times on Monday that the department would issue necessary directives to all VIPs to remove red beacons once the Centre’s missive reaches Meghalaya.
Last week, the Union Cabinet decided to stop use of beacons in vehicles ferrying the prime minister, chief ministers, central and state ministers and judges of the Supreme Court and high courts and the new rule will be implemented from May 1.
The Centre had also decided to make amendments to the rule governing the use of blue beacons which can only be used by ambulances, fire tenders and police cars in cases of emergency.
The decision to remove the red beacon came more than three years after the Supreme Court first raised the issue and asked for restrictions on use of beacons in December 2013.
Red beacons are currently used by dignitaries specified by the central and state governments.