Kejri paves way to remove beacons but they may not disappear soon

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not use a red beacon on his car and neither will his ministers. But don’t expect red beacons — or the ‘VIP culture’ — to disappear from Delhi roads.

Kejriwal’s decision will take the red beacons off just 7 cars on Delhi roads.

The big chunk of cars with red beacons comes under the central government which has a much longer list of dignitaries and has been reluctant to strip them of the privilege.

Besides, there are politicians from neighbouring states who frequently visit Delhi accompanied by gun-toting security personnel in vehicles blaring hooters who demand the right of way from other motorists.

A proposal to grant this privilege to only the five top constitutional authorities - President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Lok Sabha Speaker — has been shuttling between ministries for more than six months.

But Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari — who cleared the proposal in principle - figured it would not go down well with many within the government and sought guidance from the Prime Minister’s Office. This was in July last year.

After mulling over the proposal for a few months, the PMO asked the transport ministry to seek the law ministry’s view. Last heard, the law ministry had sent the file back to the transport ministry with a hint that Gadkari consult his cabinet colleagues.

As it stands, the central list entitles over 25 categories of dignitaries including union ministers to use red beacons on their cars.

Gadkari’s plan would require him and his cabinet colleagues too to remove the beacon from their cars.

An AAP leader said the Aam Aadmi Party government would also review the list of entitled dignitaries at the state level and nudge the centre to take the cue.