The BJP-ruled government sent the signal fire against colonial-era VIP culture in India when the Union cabinet decided in 2017 to remove red beacons atop official vehicles, including that of the prime minister. 바카라Every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP바카라,바카라 tweeted PM Narendra Modi. The beacons are gone, but symbols symptomatic of VIPs바카라living in luxurious bungalows, protected by gun-toting police and chauffeur-driven cars running red lights with sirens blazing바카라remained. Another such icon of privilege has returned to Himachal Pradesh, with the state Cabinet바카라s nod. All legislators in the BJP-ruled state will be allowed to flaunt a special flag advertising their status on their vehicles. BJP-ruled Haryana has already allowed this concession to its MLAs.
The move has triggered public outrage, but chief minister Jai Ram Thakur is unmoved. 바카라It was done because the MLAs had demanded it to ensure identity and recognition when they are travelling,바카라 he says. The speaker has approved the flag바카라s design, which bears the assembly바카라s official emblem. Himachal has 68 MLAs. The CM, cabinet ministers, speaker and deputy speaker are entitled to use the national flag.
Noting the public reaction, several Congress MLAs have refused to use the flags. 바카라I never felt the need for it during travels within or outside the state,바카라 says former minister and Congress legislator Asha Kumari of Dalhousie. The state assembly issued special stickers for cars of legislators in 2019, but they complained that these are hardly recognisable.
By Ashwani Sharma in Shimla
