Transport minister Brishen Patel on Friday accepted that violation of norms related to beacon lights was rampant in the state.

“I know there are numerous people in the capital and in the state who have mounted beacon lights atop their vehicles, which they are not entitled to. For instance, even all the panchayat level officers and elected representatives travel in vehicles fitted with beacon lights, which is a clear violation of the norms. I also accept that despite such rampant violation, the transport department never conducts specific drives against unauthorised beacon lights,” Patel told The Telegraph on Friday.

“I believe the transport department is not serious at all with respect to keeping a tab on such unauthorised use of beacon lights. I am going to ask the officials to take up the matter seriously,” he added.

The Telegraph on Friday highlighted the issue of rampant violation of norms related to use of beacon lights. Under the rules, persons occupying 20 categories of posts are entitled to use red beacon lights.

Nutan Paswan, the chairperson of Patna district board (zila parishad), defended herself by claiming that even her subordinate officer is “entitled” to a beacon light.

“Red beacon light is mounted on my vehicle but I do not understand what is wrong with it. The deputy development commissioner, who is my secretary, has put a yellow beacon atop his vehicle. Why can’t I, being his boss, also mount a red beacon light on my vehicle?” said Paswan.

Mayor Afzal Imam has also been moving in a vehicle with a red beacon light, to which he is not entitled. “Why are you after my beacon light?” Imam said when asked why he was flouting norms. “But if you are insisting, then I would enquire about the rules from the transport department,” he added.

Deputy mayor Rup Narain Mehta, said he was not violating any norms but only following “tradition”.