Punjab jails to follow Telangana model to generate revenue

Ferozepur, December 23, 2021: To make the jails in Punjab more “self- reliant” and enable for generating revenue, the state government has prepared a blue print under which skill development centres will be established in Punjab jails by following Telangana model, this was stated by Praveen Kumar Sinha, ADGP (Prisons) today during his visit to Ferozerpur Central jail today.
Sinha inaugurated a community radio station (Ujala Punjab) , a canteen (welfare room) and a recreational room today. Besides, Sinha laid the foundation stone of a petrol pump to be established inside the jail premises.
While addressing the media persons Sinha said that the state government had constituted the Punjab Prison Development Board (PPDB) in April 2020 headed by the CM (Ex-officio). “The board has taken several initiatives for the welfare of the prisoners by following the Telangana state model to enhance skills of the prisoners and to make them financially independent. As per the stats, there are around 6000 prisoners in Telangana jails while there are around 26000 prisoners in Punjab jails. The turnover of the works done by the prisoners in Telangana jails is around 550 crores, in Punjab it was only 1.25 crores in 2019. We worked hard and now the revenue has gone upto 8-10 crores. To generate more revenue, we are setting up petrol pumps in 12 jails of Punjab. Recently foundation stone for a petrol pump was set up in Patiala and now we have laid the foundation stone in Ferozepur”, said Sinha.
“We have setup a radio station in this jail today so that the inmates could listen the songs and remain stress free. Besides we have established a mini multimedia hall for the entertainment of the prisoners”, said Sinha.
“in a unique initiative, we have initiated “Gall Wakkdi” project in which the counselor gives “Jadu ki jaffi”. Besides, under literacy mission, the education is being provided to the illiterate prisoners besides tailoring courses for female jail inmates and electrician courses have been started for male jail inmates in Ferozepur jail”, said Sinha.
The jail inmates presented a cultural programme also.
On this occasion, Tajinder Singh DIG (Jails), Harmandeep Haans SSP, Ekta Uppal, CJM, Anirudh Gupta, CEO DCM Group and Jail Superintendent Surinder Singh Saini were present.