Every Indian is a VIP; red beacons are out of touch with spirit of new India: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government on Wednesday took the decision that VIP vehicles should do away with red beacons, said that every Indian was a VIP.

He also said that these symbols were "out of touch with the spirit of new India".

Replying to a tweet hailing the government decision, PM Modi said, "Every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP."

In another post, he maintained, "It should have gone long ago. Glad that today a strong beginning has been made."

Thank you. These symbols are out of touch with the spirit of new India. https://t.co/xCMaSn48mc — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2017

It should have gone long ago. Glad that today a strong beginning has been made. https://t.co/25BxLdlDpp — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2017

Every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP. https://t.co/epXuRdaSmY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2017

Come May 1, vehicles with red beacons will be a thing of the past as the government has barred their use by VVIPs, including the President, the Prime Minister and CMs.

Seeking to end the VIP culture, the Union Cabinet today decided that beacon lights will be removed from all vehicles, except emergency vehicles, like ambulances and fire brigade.

The vehicles with beacon lights, which are seen as a symbol of VIP culture, "have no place in a democratic country", the government said.

"After May 1, no one will be able to put red light atop his/her vehicle. Blue light will be used only for emergency vehicles in the country. Neither the states nor the Centre will have power to give any special permission (for use of beacon lights)," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after the Cabinet meeting.

He said the use of red beacons atop vehicles has been a matter of discussion and debates for long as to why certain people have special privileges on road.

Jaitley added that amendments will be made soon in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to give effect to the decision.

A rule that empowers the Centre or state governments to allow use of red beacon lights to dignitaries will be altogether removed from the statute books, the minister said.

"There will be no exception for anyone. The reason is very clear that the rule itself is being removed from the rule book," he added, as per PTI.

Beacons, however, will be allowed on vehicles concerning emergency and relief services, ambulance, fire service etc. In light of the decision, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will make necessary provisions in law.

On the other hand, on the question of punitive measures in case of violations, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that action will be taken as per provisions in the law.

He said a detailed notification in this regard will be issued soon and there is no need for any amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act.

"We can issue the notification under respective rules and before that, a notice will be issued for public hearing," he said.

(With Agency inputs)