India

Laal Batti Removed Atop Cars of State Officials – Historic Decision by Modi Government

Laal Batti Removed Atop Cars of State Officials – Historic Decision by Modi Government

In a historic step to do away with elitism and status quo in the country, Modi government announced on Wednesday that starting from May 1st, the symbol of government, the Laal Batti (red beacon), which sits proudly on top of the official cars and vehicles in India, shall not be used anymore. The only leniency shall be provided to emergency vehicles as ambulances, etc. The vehicles used for Prime Minister, President and other top officials shall also not boast the symbol of power, the Laal Batti, anymore. The official Twitter handle of Prime Minister Modi has since been tweeted at many times by common citizens, celebrities and online trolls, congratulating him for this historic step.

In a tweet this morning, Prime Minister pronounced every Indian to be a VIP from now onward.

The Laal Batti since independence has been a symbol of power and status in the Indian society given that only government officials could use it. The red siren also helped the official vehicles move easy and ahead in the times of great traffic congestion. While the Aam Aadmi suffered for hours in the long lanes of traffic, the red siren slowly became the object of envy and wrath. The decision which was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a press conference was long awaited by the common public.

It is to be noted that it was current Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who first announced the official refusal to use vehicles with red beacon. Current Punjab and UP governments have also asked their officials to not use the red beacon on their vehicles.

The announcement shall be implemented by coming May 1 under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway. The Minister for it, Nitin Gadkari, tweeted to welcome the decision and called it “a step forward”. He also noticed that this decision shall make the society more aware and sensitive towards emergency vehicles.

This decision shall indeed move India one more step towards equality as is proclaimed in the preface to our constitution. And emergency vehicles shall get their due on roads.

About the author

Shruti Bhatt

Shruti Bhatt is an engineering graduate, consumed with her passions day in and day out. An avid moviemaniac, a foodie, a bibliophile, and coffee-fashion-music enthusiast, Ms. Bhatt is on the way of becoming a raconteur - the word she is most fascinated with.

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