New Delhi. Trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar is in the news these days. She has been accused of passing the IAS exam by submitting a wrong medical report. Meanwhile, her private Audi car has also come into the limelight, on which the name of the Maharashtra government is written along with the red-blue light of the police. The interesting thing is that a fine of Rs 27,400 was imposed on her car for breaking traffic rules 21 times.
Although the car owner has now paid the fine, the question now arises whether government officials can write their designation or government’s name on their private vehicles or is it illegal to do so? Many ordinary drivers are also caught with caste and various types of provocative slogans on their vehicles. So let’s find out whether government employees are allowed to use red lights on their private vehicles?
What are the rules for government employees?
To put it simply, no. Government employees cannot use any kind of sign related to their post, office or government on their private vehicles. Government employees are also prohibited from using red light, siren or hooter on their private vehicles. Talking about trainee IAS Pooja, her private Mercedes car also had a red-blue police light along with the name of Maharashtra government. The rule also states that officers cannot use vehicles used for government work for their personal work.
How much will the fine be imposed for using the red light?
Under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1989, it is a crime to install police red light and number plate on a private vehicle. Apart from the nameplate, government seal and symbol can be used against the rules. This leads to administrative chaos and misuse. If this is done, the police can issue a challan of Rs 1,000. On the other hand, if found violating the rule for the second time, a challan of Rs 1,500 can be issued. If found violating the rule more than this, the driving license can also be cancelled.
This is also the rule for government vehicles
If a government vehicle has a blue light and there is no high ranking person in it, then there is a rule to cover it with a black cloth. It is clear in the order that punitive action will be taken against the guilty under the provisions of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.
Tag: auto news, Car Bike News
first published : July 16, 2024, 05:31 IST
