Misuse of "Red Beacon lights" goes with impunity

Nitesh Sangral

2/6/2011 9:11:56 PM

Jammu: Government vehicles having red lights on their tops are a symbol of authority and position of a person using these vehicles. Only some of the dignitaries of the state are entitled to use these "privileged" vehicles but it is seen in our state that many low rung officers of the state government are using these vehicles with impunity. The state government had issued an order in 2006 entitling ministers, chief secretary, principal secretaries, senior police officers above the rank of DIG and above including only District SSPs, high court judges and session judges to use this facility. However, the order is being violated with impunity by lower-rank officials, retired officials and even office-bearers of different political parties. Such vehicles hardly undergo checking at different check posts in and around the winter capital of the state. Senior bureaucrat on the condition of anonymity stated that these vehicles can be misused in the state particularly in the present context and stringent measures needed to keep a check on them. A senior official of the General Administration Department (GAD) on the condition of anonymity said, "Only few selected category of the officials up to rank of the principal secretary in civil administration and up to ADG's are entitled for this facility. But influential persons who don't fall in this category use this facility illegally defying government orders". He further said that not only former ministers, former legislators and retired government officials are illegally using these red beacon lights but even office-bearers of political parties are indulging in the malpractice. It is pertinent to mention here that state government in 1998 had issued an order vide number 1256 of the GAD dated September 28, 1998, wherein only ministers and chief secretary were entitled to use red lights. However, in absolute disregard of the rules governing the use of such special privileges, officials not only drive in cars with red or amber beacon lights but often the vehicles are misused for personal work. Interestingly, no senior officer from police department is ready to speak on the topic despite repeated requests; they were just passing the buck on one another. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar talking told that no incident of this type and even any complain had reached to him. He termed it as a wrong practice and said that the violators would be dealt with strictly. He also sought help of media persons in exposing such type of persons having red light vehicles. What who will help the Minister in ascertaining the violators as the onus lies again on the police which has more such violators?