The Meghalaya government has clarified regulations on the use of tinted glass or black film, allowing it exclusively on official vehicles assigned to protectees classified as ‘Z-Plus’ and ‘Z’. Eligible protectees must receive recommendations from a designated committee, established under a notification dated May 21, 2012. This decision aligns with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) implemented to conform with Supreme Court directions and existing central motor vehicle regulations.
The SOP, grounded in Supreme Court cases such as Avishek Goenka vs Union of India and Abhay Singh vs Union of India, along with the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989, restricts the use of sirens to police vehicles, emergency services, and specified pilot and escort vehicles for VVIPs and VIPs. It further cites Rule 119(3) concerning siren noise levels.
Additionally, the Office Memorandum clarifies that the use of beacons or red lights, whether flashing or not, is prohibited, adhering to a Transport Department notification from November 4, 2025. For name plates, the Transport Department will periodically notify officials entitled to use them, detailing specifications for size, lettering, and color.
According to the Flag Code of India, 2002, dignitaries qualified to display the National Flag on official vehicles have been listed, which includes high-ranking officials such as the President, Vice-President, and Chief Ministers among others. This SOP applies to all government vehicles, with the exception of those classified as emergency vehicles, and is effective immediately.
