Centre’s move on red beacon culture gets mixed response

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 21

The announcement of the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, regarding the removal of red beacon from vehicles of political leaders to shun the VIP culture has drawn a mixed response from city residents. People say mere removal of red beacon will not make a much difference as there’s a need to reform the political system of the country.

Varun Khanna, an RTI activist, said,” It is good that the Modi government is going to remove the red beacon culture, but it will not work. Residents don’t have any problem with red beacons, but with the cavalcade accompanying the politicians. If a minister of the state or the Centre arrives in the city, residents are bound to suffer as traffic comes to a standstill on the road the cavalcade of the minister passes through. The government should have a norm wherein more than a particular number of vehicles can’t accompany the cavalcade of ministers. The public should not be mistreated on the arrival of any minister.”

Parmod Chand Bali, a member of Amritsar Civil Society, said, “Red beacons were introduced for good purpose. Politicians and bureaucrats are public servants and they are respected. The purpose of red beacons was defeated when they started misusing their powers. But I appreciate the effort of Narendra Modi as he also removed red beacon from his vehicle. It is a good move to shun the Lal Batti culture.”

Jaswinder Singh Jahangir, a political activist, said, “It is too late now to remove red beacons. It has become a political need of the ruling government as the Aam Adami Party had proposed to eliminate the VIP culture from the country. It is good, but the country needs political reforms. Removal of red beacon is only a show off to grab headlines in newspapers. The character and practice of ministers will be the same.”

Sarbjit Singh Dhotian, a social and religious activist, said, “The political discourse has been changing. Taking cue from the European countries, people expect same treatment to everyone in our country. No one is special here so the governments are forced to take such decisions. It is good to treat the ministers and bureaucrats like a common man. It is the need of the hour.”