No change in red beacon policy, says Punjab CM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 28

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday evening denied having rolled back his decision to do away with red beacons for him and his ministers.   

A spokesperson of the state government claimed the Transport Department mistakenly put out part of the party's election manifesto, which social media had picked up and circulated as an official notification.

The Transport Department later withdrew the purported order. The chief minister also directed the chief secretary to have a correct notification sent to him for immediate release, the spokesperson said, adding that the notification will be issued soon.

There was no question of change in policy and the state government was fully committed to shedding VIP culture, of which red beacon has for long been the most visible symbol, the spokesperson said.  

An official statement issued after the decision was taken said beacons were removed soon after the state government took a decision to shun VIP culture at its maiden meeting. The government’s move to shed the VIP frills is in line with the state Congress poll manifesto.

Though the chief minister and the Cabinet ministers were exempted in the Congress manifesto, they decided to bring themselves within the ambit of the decision, said an official spokesperson.