No lal batti for ministers, central government officers from May 1: sources
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has banned ministers and officials from using beacons or lal battis on their cars, say sources. From May 1, no official or minister can use "lal battis", which have come to symbolize "VIP arrogance" that causes inconvenience to people. The decision was reportedly taken at a cabinet meeting today. PM Modi, say sources, was emphatic about banning "lal batti culture". Only five people will be allowed to keep the beacon - the President, Prime Minister, Vice President, Chief Justice of India and the Lok Sabha Speaker. Recently, PM Modi's convoy went to the Delhi airport to receive Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina "in normal traffic", which means no traffic restrictions were in place throughout the route. Usually, policemen put up barricades and block every route that dignitaries are to take, leaving people waiting interminably for the roads to open.
