If everything goes as planned, convicts and undertrials may get better amenities and comforts in jails of Uttarakhand as the State Government had recently sent a proposal to the Central Government demanding financial assistant for up-gradation of kitchens, dispensary, toilets, creation of workshops on furniture making, weaving, tailoring and others in all the existing jails of the state.
Apart from this, the Government has also sent a proposal to the Central Government demanding financial assistance for modernisation of jails in the State. The financial assistance for the State Government will be used for purchasing jammers for strengthening security, computerisation of existing 11 jails, repair and renovation of existing jails, said IG, Jail, Vinod Sharma.
He said that the13th Finance Commission has approved financial assistance of Rs 140 crore to the State for the creation of four new jails and one sub-jail in the state. Four new jails will be constructed in Champawat, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag while one sub-jail will be built in Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar.
Sharma said that a proposal of Rs 65 crore for up-gradation of kitchens, toilets and dispensary; improvement in sanitation and water supply; provision for medical and psychiatric services; vocational training and gainful employment and others has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. A comprehensive plan to enhance security inside jail premises across the state has also been proposed to the central government. In view of this, a proposal of `27 crore was also sent to the central government for purchasing jammers, CCTV cameras and computerisation of all the existing jails in the state, he added. To reduce overcrowding, the department has drafted a plan for the construction of additional barracks in Haridwar jail. With the release of the funds sought , jails will be expanded and provided better infrastructure in the state, he added.