Karnataka Minister refuses to remove red beacon, says will obey CM’s order

"I do not have power to alter my car. It is left to the cabinet to decide," he said.

Bengaluru, May 3: Karnataka Minister UT Khader has refused to comply with the Central government’s order to do away with the red beacon or lal batti from his official car. The Minister said he would remove the red beacon from his vehicle only if Chief Minister Siddaramiah asked him to do so. “If the Chief Minister asks me to remove the red beacon, I will obey his instruction and remove it,” Food and Civil Supplies Minister UT Khader said.

According to NDTV, he argued that since the state government has given him the vehicle attached with a red beacon, he doesn’t have the right to make alterations. Let the Central government bring into force such a notification, he demanded.

“I do not have power to alter my car. It is left to the cabinet to decide,” he said.

Hitting out at the Centre, Khader said the government should make effort to bring common people to the level of VIPs in order to end the ‘VIP culture’. “It’s not that I am moving around with the red beacon on my head. It is installed on my car,” Khader said.

“Having said that,” the Minister added, “I am not saying no, but most importantly it should introduce schemes wherein it is possible to fill the stomachs of people and provide education.”

On April 19, the Centre had decided to do away with beacons for all categories of vehicles. The move was aimed at ending the VIP culture in the country. The Union Cabinet had in a meeting took the decision saying, “The government is of the considered opinion that beacons on vehicles are perceived symbols of VIP Culture, and have no place in a democratic country. They have no relevance whatsoever. Beacons, however, will be allowed on vehicles concerned with emergency and relief services, ambulance, fire service etc. In the light of this decision the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will make necessary provisions in the law.”