Give us back our red beacons,say officers

The traffic police have,over the last month,prosecuted at least 35 government officials sporting beacon lights,a privilege they say only a few people enjoy in the state machinery.

Only the Chief Minister,Cabinet members,Assembly Speaker and Leader of Opposition,among a few others,can use a beacon light,according to a government notification of 2002.

But in a letter to Law officials,the Revenue department said its middle-ranking officials need a beacon light as they may be required to move around the city in quick turnaround time,said a senior official.

“What if there is a natural disaster in the city? Our officials are required to do so much rescue and coordination work during such times that they just can’t afford to get stuck in traffic,” the official said.

Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners of the city’s nine districts are on the list of ranks who the Revenue department insists be allowed to use a red beacon light,the official said.

The desire to reclaim the red beacon light,often perceived as a status symbol,is limited to not just Revenue officials,but prevails across government departments.

A senior official said the Transport department is preparing a list of officials who the government believes should be allowed to use a red beacon light.

Transport officials are putting together a comparative analysis of the beacon light rule in Delhi and neighbouring states where they say more officials are allowed this privilege.

“We want at least all Principal Secretaries should be allowed to put red beacon lights on their vehicles. Some neighbouring states allow even Joint Secretaries to use this light,” a senior transport official said.

A senior official said proposals from all the departments will be analysed,merged and then sent for approval to the Union Home Ministry that controls Delhi Police.

Last month,the traffic police issued public advertisements warning people against using red beacon lights illegally,after which they launched a special prosecution drive.