UTKAL VIDYARTHI Abhiyan, a registered organisation has filed a PIL in the Orissa High Court arguing that the misuse of flickering red lights by all and sundry in the government is creating difficulties for the general public as the vehicles are creating traffic and parking problems. It also felt that the misuse may aid crime particularly terrorist activities, where a getaway car is a vital tool.

According to the Flag Code India, 2002 the use of flashing red lights is restricted to flag bearing cars, that is, only those dignitaries who have the privilege of flying the national flag on their cars. As per Section IX, Clause 3.44 of the above code the privilege of flying the national flag on cars is limited to the president, governors and lieutenant governors, heads of Indian missions abroad in the countries to which they are accredited, prime ministers and Union ministers, chief minister and other ministers of State or Union territories, speaker of the Lok Sabha, deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha, chairman of legislative assemblies in States and Union territories, deputy chairman of legislative councils in States, deputy speakers of legislative assemblies in States and Union territories as well as the chief justice of India, judges of the supreme court, chief justices of high courts and the judges of the high courts.

In Orissa however, a large number of government officials from different departments, judiciary and local bodies, State Government officials not connected with the police, officials of the board of revenue, tribunal judges, district judges, zilla parishad chairman, police officers working in non-police departments like printing presses, OSRTC, sports, GRIDCO use these red lights even though they are not authorised to do so, alleged Advocate Nishikant Mishra, General Secretary of the Utkal Vidyarthi Aviyan.

As per Rule 99 of the Orissa Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993,“A flashing red light with bulb of not more than seven Watts power may be fitted on the roof top and the vehicle used by the dignitaries who are authorised to fly or display the national flag, provided that such lights shall be put to used only when the police patrolling or fire service vehicles are on actual duty”.

Mishra said,“The commerce and transport departments of the Orissa government have been issued instructions to remove flashing red lights from the vehicles that are not entitled to use red light. However, after 11 years of these instructions nothing has changed. Rather, this misuse has increased, creating public nuisance and security hazards.”

The petitioners are hoping that the High court will eventually direct the commerce and transport Department, State transport authority and regional transport officer in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to take immediate action against the violators of the Indian flag code.