Shillong, Nov 26: The Meghalaya cabinet today approved a proposal to adopt standard operating procedures (SOPs) regulating the use of beacons, flashing lights, sirens, tinted windows and nameplates on official vehicles.
The use by VIPs of sirens and tinted windows is a particular annoyance for the ordinary citizen, however, even with the introduction of SOPs, their use by those at the very top of the privileged classes are likely to be unaffected.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting today, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the SOPs clearly define who is authorised to use these features and aim to curb their indiscriminate use.
For all this talk, the categories of individuals still able to use them are wide.
Tinted windows will continue to be permitted for those with Z and Z+ security as well as “special cases” approved by a committee headed by a Principal Secretary.
Sirens will be allowed on police vehicles, ambulances and fire tenders, and pilot and escort vehicles of VIPs. Any proposal to extend the list will have to be examined and notified by the committee led by the Principal Secretary.
The CM reiterated that the use of red beacons remains prohibited for everyone under national law. Other types of flashing lights, which are often used as substitutes, will be allowed only when specifically notified by the Transport Department.
One area that could see some real action taken is the prodigious use of official-looking nameplates. Oftentimes private, non-governmental organisations and companies display red-coloured nameplates for their top brass and they bear enough of a resemblance to official nameplates to be misleading.
Sangma said that the Transport Department will issue and regulate the list of persons authorised to use nameplates on their vehicles as the government aims to address cases of unauthorised and random usage.
