The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought to know the status of drinking water facilities available in Kendrapada sub jail after seeking an action-taken report (ATR) from the Inspector General of Prisons (IGP). It intervened after acting upon a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
Tripathy had alleged that due to water scarcity , especially in summer, the inmates of Kendrapada sub jail face a lot of problems. They are virtually deprived of adequate drinking water and forced consume contaminated water, he said, seeking immediate intervention of the NHRC. The NHRC had directed the Additional DGP-cum-IG Prisons to submit a detailed report in this regard. Acting on the direction, the latter had submitted a report on August 18 last saying that a bore well with submersible pump set was available in the jail for meeting the requirements of the jail inmates for cooking ,drinking and sanitation purpose. He had mentioned that three water purifiers were available.
For contingent situations when the water pump does not work or electric power fails, the inmates got water from the bore well by using a hand pump. Besides, there was a plan to dig two bore wells in the jail premises in 2014-15 out of funds under State Plan, the NHRC was told.
Meanwhile, the NHRC has directed the Additional DGP-cum-IG of Prisons to expedite the digging work of the two bore wells and install more aqua guard water purifiers in the jail. When contacted, Jail Superintendent Biren Sahu informed that a deep bore tube well was already dug in the jail premises last month.
However, reports said that the major problem of the sub jail is that health checkups of the inmates. No doctor is available in the jail since February last. Another problem in the jail does not have its transport system.