New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) A total of 299 motorists were prosecuted till July-end this year for illegally using red beacons on vehicles, parliament was told Tuesday.

This is a sharp rise from the 36 prosecutions spread over the previous three years (2008 to 2010), Minister of State for Home Affairs M. Ramachandran told the Lok Sabha.

The minister said there was no provision for arrest under the Motor Vehicles Act for the unauthorized use of red beacon lights, which is meant for VIP vehicles.

‘The government has taken note of unauthorized use of red beacons on vehicles in Delhi,’ the minister said. He said Delhi Police had instructed its traffic wing to prosecute the offenders.