Rayagada: One might think that vehicles carrying VIPs or government officials with flashing red beacons are a thing of the past after the Centre banned them in 2017.
Even the vehicles of the President, Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and CMs no longer sport red beacons.
Despite the ban, however, Gunupur’s Sub-Collector J Sonal continues to use the red beacon on his official vehicle.
This is surprising as even the vehicles of the Rayagada Collector and Sub-Collector do not have red beacons.
When asked by reporters why he was using red beacon on his vehicle, Sonal said, “There are rules and guidelines.” He didn’t elaborate and left hastily.
“No one is using red beacon. It’s not a red beacon that you see on his vehicle. Yellow light can be used while an official is on magistrate duty or emergency work. At times you face problems on the road when it can be used,” said Saroj Kumar Mishra, Collector, Rayagada.
