At one point of time, the Sambalpur jail was famous for a green garden with vegetables of all varieties available for public sale. The inmates used to produce vegetables and spend their time in productive purposes. At the same time, it also added to their income. Pisciculture was also another programme. But all these activities stopped without any reason.Meanwhile, jailor SK Rout has started another programme for cow rearing and thereby giving an opportunity to the inmates to serve the cows and produce milk for consumption of inmates and sale.“Eight cows of better verities have been purchased in the jail and a good cowshed has been constructed for them. At present, five cows are giving milk.
Four inmates who were doing similar jobs earlier in their respective homes have been entrusted with the responsibility to take care of the cows and calves. Milking the cows, feeding them with grains and green grass, keeping them clean with regular bath, including a clean cowshed, is their work now,” informed the jailor, adding that Rs 9 lakh has been spent so far in the project.“Interestingly, the four persons who are taking care of the cows are all convicted on the charge of murder. But the opportunity to serve cows and their calves gives them immense pleasure and they take it as a holy job,” said Rout.