New Delhi, April 19: The Union cabinet today decided to scrap the practice of red beacons adorning the vehicles of constitutional heads and VVIPs, including the Prime Minister and the President, from May 1.

Emergency service vehicles, such as those of the fire brigade, police and ambulances, will continue to have blue-beacon flashers.

"From May 1, no red beacon will be allowed atop any official vehicle. There will be no exceptions," finance minister Arun Jaitley said after the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The move comes a month after new Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh decided to ban the use of beacon lights on government vehicles.

Jaitley said no dignitary at the Centre or in states could use red beacons on their vehicles from next month. "Only defined emergency services will be allowed to use blue beacons with a flasher."

The minister said the government would soon bring necessary amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. "Rule 108 deals with use of red and blue lights on vehicles. Rule 108 (1) (iii) deals with some categories of vehicles of dignitaries specified both by the Centre and state governments who can use beacons on official vehicles. It is a central rule and is being completely abolished from the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989."

The decision to abolish red beacons will extend to the vehicles of the Vice-President, Chief Justice of India, Union ministers, chief ministers, state cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and judges of the Supreme Court and high courts.

Terming it as a "historic decision", road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari today removed the beacon on his official vehicle after the cabinet meeting.

"The government is of the opinion that beacons on vehicles are perceived as symbols of VIP culture and have no place in a democratic country. They have no relevance...," Gadkari said. "In light of today's cabinet decision, the ministry of road transport and highways will make necessary provisions in law."

He added that in many states, even MLAs used beacon lights, which was illegal. "The use of sirens by ministers is not legal as these are used only by pilot police vehicles."

On punitive measures in case of violations, Gadkari said action would be taken will be taken "as per provisions". "A detailed notification in this regard will be issued soon."

In 2013, the Supreme Court had said the use of beacons by ministers and government officials was a "menace to society" and asked the Centre to restrict their use and that of sirens to persons holding constitutional posts.

"How can citizens be treated differently?" the apex court had said while referring to the problems faced by people when VIPs with high-security cover move in vehicles with beacons and sirens. "It is a menace to society and such misuse should be dealt with heavy hands and exemplary fine imposed," the court had said while hearing a PIL filed by a Uttar Pradesh resident on misuse of beacons.