Bhubaneswar, March 23: Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra has decided to surrender his security and the red beacon fitted to his official vehicle, taking a cue from the Congress government, headed by captain Amarinder Singh in Punjab, that ministers will not use red beacons in official vehicles.

Mishra, who is the leader of Opposition, enjoys the rank of a cabinet minister.

Mishra said he had already communicated his decision to the state government. He has written a letter to the chief secretary in this regard.

"I will also not use the escort party provided by police during my official tours," he said.

"Only those in charge of maintaining law and order should use the red beacon on their cars while on duty."

There are 21 ministers in the state, including chief minister Naveen Patnaik. There are 21 others, excluding the leader of Opposition who enjoy the status of the ministers and are entitled to use red beacons and police escort.

Non-political appointees - Sam Pitroda, Subrato Bagchi, K. Srinath Reddy and R.N. Das - who have been appointed as advisors to the government, too, are entitled to the privileges and perquisites of the ministers.

Sources said that after the debacle of the party in the recent panchayat polls, Mishra would like to make extensive visits to various parts of the state to strengthen the organisation.

"People have developed an apathy towards ministers. When the leader of Opposition travels in his official vehicle, people mistake him to be a minister and stay away. The purpose is to end the VIP culture and also give the message that the Congress is with the people," Mishra said.

While Mishra's party colleagues welcomed the move, BJD spokesperson D.S. Mishra said there was no harm in people occupying high posts using red beacon-fitted cars and police security.