J&K withdraws red beacons for Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Advocate General of state

In a U-turn, Jammu and Kashmir government today withdrew the green signal for use of red beacons on the official vehicles of the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Advocate General of the state, given yesterday, succumbing to pressure from legislators. "The permission to use red beacons on official vehicles for the three has been withdrawn. CS, DGP and Advocate General cannot use the red becons," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Saifullah said responding to the issue raised by JKNPP legislator Harsh Dev Singh.

The Minister contended that the issue was important and cabinet had taken a decision as per the Supreme Court order last year which limited the use of red beacons to high dignitaries holding constitutional posts.

Justifying the arguments of MLAs, he said, "In warrant of precedence, Chief Secretary, DGP and Advocate General are below the legislators. MLAS are constitutional authorities," and informed the Assembly about the decision to withdraw the nod for red beacons to the three government officials. The state cabinet had allowed the use of red beacons on the official vehicles of the three dignitaries, but did not extend it to legislators, triggering protests from the members in the Assembly yesterday.