Cabinet strips red beacon light, siren off VIPs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16 2014:
With the exception of the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Speaker and the High Court Chief Justice, no other VVIPs/VIPs would be allowed to use read beacon or siren in their vehicles.
A resolution to this effect was adopted at a Cabinet meeting held this afternoon with Chief Minister O Ibobi in the chair.
Fire Service and ambulance on emergency duty would use blue beacon, said Education Minister and Government spokesman M Okendro after the meeting.
Except for the VVIPs mentioned above, no other Cabinet Ministers or officials would be given authority to use read beacons or siren.
After the resolution was adopted in line with a Supreme Court ruling, the meeting agreed on removing red beacons and sirens from vehicles allotted to persons who would come under the unauthorised category henceforth within a week of issuing the relevant notice.
The Chief Secretary and the DGP would monitor that Cabinet decision is implemented without any deviation or aberration.
Law and order situation is still volatile in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East.
There were instances where UG cadres were arrested from vehicles fitted with red beacons, Okendro stated.
Remarking that the Cabinet decision on red beacon was very significant, Okendro conveyed that the meeting also discussed on fixing name plates on the vehicles of Ministers and MLAs where the Ministers' respective departments would be embossed and the name of respective constituencies in the case of MLAs.
On being enquired if the Government has decided on what line of action would be initiated in case of violation, the Government spokesman said that there would be no room for leniency.
Leading the way, Okendro removed the red beacon from his vehicle in presence of media persons at the end of the press meet.
He further informed that the Cabinet decided to impose fine up to Rs 5000 if any one is found disposing garbage or waste materials on river banks within Imphal Municipal area.
Another key resolution adopted at the Cabinet meeting was acquisition of 3000 acres of land at Moreh for developing a modern township of international standard said the spokesperson further.
A Cabinet sub-committee would make a field assessment of the area to be acquired, Okendro added.