To, The Editor Navhind Times Panjim-Goa
It is requested that the Editor of Navhind Times publishes this letter in the Letter to the Editor column. Thanks Stephen Dias D.Paula Date: 31.12.2013 Mob: 9422443110 MISUSE OF RED BEACON IN GOA Ref: Letter by Michael Vaz, Merces titled “AAP Exaggerating Red Beacon Issue” in NT dated 31st Dec. 2013. Mr Micheal Vaz says what difference it makes for a handful of ministers or a top people in the executive or the judiciary to use Lal Batti or Red Beacons when it is their prerogative bestowed to them? They need to use in emergencies for their official duties as they do not have to wait for long queues during traffic jams etc. He also says that if any minister or any other VIP dignitaries’ wants to attend the inauguration ceremony or any other duty which is very common, they need to use this facility. We have witnessed many a times that the traffic is put in halt and thus allow them to go. It is fine if an ambulance carrying a serious patient, the public may have some sympathy towards the patient’s health. That is the reason the AAP has come in the interest of public to get rid of such misuses and we should encourage and support them and not bring objections. I am sure it is not an exaggeration but it is a necessity. Just see today ( 31st Dec), at Anjuna, about 5 tourists were arrested using Red Beacons on their two vehicles and one of that was used as a pilot vehicle to clear the roads and allegedly one of the occupant was a former Haryana Minister’s son. It appears that they have come to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations in Goa. Goans have been fooled all the time with such kind of misuses which was already going on in Goa. The police had no role to stop these bad elements using these beacons and sirens until the Supreme Court passed the order. It is our duty that SC order is well implemented and the Goa Traffic Dept takes keen interest to detect such crimes but only those who are entitled can continue using them. Stephen Dias D.Paula