In a bid to end VIP culture the Nagaland Government has directed that no official or dignitary will use designation plates in their vehicles.
As per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Act 1989, nothing except the registration number of the vehicle should be displayed on the number plates of the vehicles and those violating this rule are liable to face punishment, Nagaland Home Commissioner Abhishek Singh said in an order on Friday.
Accordingly, all government officials and functionaries are strictly directed not to display their designations on their vehicles, the order said.
It warned that violators of this rule would face action under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988.
In order to avoid inconvenience to ministers and MIAs, the order stated appropriate colour-coded car stickers will be provided to facilitate their movement across the state.
The Neiphiu Rio-led Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) government at its first Cabinet meeting in Kohima also resolved that to curb VIP culture, use of name and designation plates by ministers, legislators and government employee in vehicles would soon be banned. It said colour-coded car pass system would be designed for official use, especially for ministers and MLAs, to avoid inconveniences.
The Cabinet meeting further decided to ban use of pilots and security escorts by all government functionaries, barring the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker within Kohima and Dimapur. Security surveillance in both Kohima and Dimapur would be enhanced and improved so that ministers and other functionaries need not use escorts and pilots within city limits, it stated.
Further, giving a deadline to all departments to link all their employees and beneficiaries of government funds, pensions to Aadhaar-based biometric system for ensuring transparency and good governance, the Cabinet also decided to cover all directorates and secretariats by Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system within 100 days. An appropriate system would be devised for ensuring attendance in district offices, it added.
A new insurance scheme for students studying outside Nagaland too would be launched within 100 days, the meeting resolved.