No more VIP, only EPI: Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the ban on the use of red beacons, which will come into force from Monday, is aimed at removing the VIP culture from the minds of certain people and replace it with the concept of “Every Person is Important”. Addressing the nation through the 31st edition of his monthly programme Mann Ki Baat the Prime Minister also pushed for more digital transactions and informed about the launch of South Asia satellite on May 5.

Referring to the Union Cabinet decision of April 19 to ban the use of beacons from May 1, he claimed that all 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance for the government he said. “Generally, there is an atmosphere of hatred for the VIP culture in the country. How deep it is, I realised only recently when the government decided that how soever big a person may be, he cannot move around in a vehicle using the red beacon,” he said.  

As per the Cabinet decision all VIP vehicles including those used by the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers, Central and State ministers and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts have been barred from  using red beacons.

“Although the ‘lal batti’ is gone now, nobody can claim that because of this, the VIP culture which has gone into the mindset would have also gone,” Modi said. He said with concerted efforts VIP culture can also been removed from the mindset also.

The Prime Minister sought the support of youth for pushing the digital payment to capitalise on a scheme that entails cash rewards for those encouraging others to use the government’s Bharat Interface for Money (Bhim) app for transactions. He said the scheme is valid till October 14 and the youngsters can benefit monetarily from this.

“If you make 20 people to do it in a day, you can earn '200 that day,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the benefits of this satellite will go a long way in meeting the developmental needs of the countries participating in this project.

In his radio programme on Sunday, Modi also emphasised the relevance of the teachings of Lord Buddha in the present day world which is “going through problems like violence, wars, destruction and arms race”.

He also mentioned about the climate change problem and the increasing duration of summer. Modi spoke about saving the birds and animals from this heat by adopting a humane approach.