Rs 3,500 crore jail modernization plan

Bhopal, Mat 05: A whopping sum of Rs 3,500 crore would be spent under five-year plan for modernization of jails across the country. The state would get about Rs 368 crore under the plan. A major chunk of provisioned sum would be used in increasing capacity of jails while remaining portion would be used in improving housing facilities for inmates, implementing reforms and modernization proposals. 

Recently, a meeting was convened at New Delhi to review the progress of first phase of plan implemented from 2002-2007. During the meeting, it was decided to extend the plan for next five years. Remarkably, under the previous plan, new barracks and existing jails were renovated besides construction of staff quarters. About Rs 155 crore was sanctioned for the state in the plan. While, central government’s share in last five-year plan was 75 per cent, the state government’s share was 25 per cent.

Recently, while reviewing the plan on April 25, the Union Home Ministry decided to continue the plan for next five years. A sum of Rs 3,500 crore was provisioned under the plan. Forty per cent of total sum i.e Rs 1,250 crore would be spent on increasing capacity of jails and constructing new jails as per model jail design. Apart from this, twenty per cent i.e Rs 625 crore each would be utilized in improving housing facility of convicts, implementing reforms and modernization plans respectively. 

The State Jail Department officials also met Director General and other officers of Tihar Jail on April 26, a day after the meeting, to collect information regarding CCTV and pre and post installation works. Principal Secretary Jail, Director General and Deputy Inspector General (Prison) from the state attended the meeting in Delhi. The state is likely to get Rs 368 crore under the plan. It was learnt that the Jail Department has started preparing projects, which would be sent to the Union Home Ministry till May end.