The Supreme Court has given the Central and State governments time till the second week of July to take remedial measures to drastically reduce the number of constitutional authorities who can use the red beacon light on their official vehicle.
The Supreme Court has warned that if the governments do not act, that it would itself decide as to who is entitled to the use of red beacons, currently being flaunted by persons as a status symbol. The Supreme Court has also suggested that the current fine of Rs 100 for unauthorized use of the red beacon be increased to Rs 10,000. Ironically while the Supreme Court is all geared to slash the use of the red beacon, the newly appointed Chairman of the Goa State Public Commission Mr. Kurapati Dwarakanath Row has now also sought a red beacon for his official car. In pursuance of powers under clause (iii) of proviso to rule 108 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, the State Government is empowered to notify as to who is permitted to use a red beacon. In Goa by a notification dated 8th March 1994 the Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Ministers, High Court Judges besides the North Goaand South Goa District Judges were allowed use of the red beacon. By that order the Chief Secretary, IGP, District Magistrates and SPs were also permitted the use of a red beacon. Then after almost five years on 30th December 1999 this privilege was extended to Atmaram Nadkarni during his earlier stint as the Advocate General of Goa. Over the years the list went on increasing to include the President of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Goa State Planning Board, Mayor of Panaji, President of Administrative Tribunal, Presiding officer of Labour Court, Director of Prosecution, State Election Commissioner, President of Children’s Court and the Principal Secretary for the State of Goa. These are the only persons currently permitted to use the red beacon. Most of these authorities can now hope to see their red beacon washed away in July when the Supreme Court cracks the whip. Others presently high handedly flashing the red beacon are doing so unauthorisedly and illegally. The list of these offenders is long and includes the Chairman of the Goa Law Commission, NRI Commissioner, Goa Zilla Parishad Chairpersons and Chairpersons of various Municipalities amogst others. A few years ago the then Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Board Dr L.U. Joshi started high handedly unauthorisedly using the red beacon. But fearing that the law would catch up with him the red beacon soon vanished. Now with the Supreme Court having shown the red card to misuse of the red beacon we may soon see a very trimmed list of those entitled to this privilege in the State of Goa. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372