To strengthen jail security and check use of mobile phones among other things, Punjab Government has decided to amend the more than a century-old legislation.
With the Cabinet approving the amendments in the Prison Act-1894 during its virtual meeting on Wednesday, the Government would table a Bill in the ensuing budget session to bring in the necessary changes aimed at strengthening security across the State’s prison and curb criminal acts by inmates through more stringent punishment for major offences like rioting, escape from prison, and other violations of prison discipline and rules.
The Cabinet approved a proposal mooted by Jails Department to add new penal provisions in the Act to strengthen security arrangements and prevent the use of mobile phones by the inmates, riots inside the jails, incidents of assault on the jail staff, damage to the jail property, incidents of absconding, possession of drugs inside the jails etc.
Notably, despite various security arrangements in the state’s jails, there have been cases of use of mobile phones by the inmates in recent times, as well as riots inside the jails, incidents of assault on jail staff, damage to jail property, fugitive incidents.
Incidents of drug trafficking are also coming to light from time to time, which is creating difficulties for the jail administration and the law and order situation in the State.
CABINET OKAYS NEW POLICY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MORE THAN 25K HOUSES FOR EWS
Approving a new EWS Policy, Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday paved the way for construction of more than 25,000 houses for the economically weaker sections (EWS), with developers and authorities required to develop five percent of the project area for EWS housing.
The houses under the new policy would be constructed with the latest brick-less technology, using services of qualified Project Management Agencies (PMAs). They will be offered to eligible families, who will be financed by banks at affordable monthly instalment rates.
The policy provides for eligible applicants to furnish proof of birth in Punjab or of 10 years’ stay in the State from the date of application, such as Aadhaar card, copy of ration card, extract of voter list, copy of driving license, passport etc. Family income should not be more than Rs three lakhs per annum from all sources, as revised by the Centre or Punjab from time to time.
Applicants must be married and the application must be in the joint name of husband and wife. There will be a bar on sale, gift, mortgage with possession, exchange, long lease of the allotted EWS dwelling units for a period of 15 years except within the family case of death of allottee.
PUNJAB BIFURCATES COMMON CADRE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH DEPTS
Aimed at prompt resolution of disputes arising out of establishment matters between the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, and Medical Education and Research through separation of controlling authority and rules of both departments, the State Cabinet on Wednesday gave approval to the bifurcation of common cadre of the two departments.
PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS AMENDMENT TO SIMPLIFY REALISATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE TAX OR REFUND WHERE APPLICABLE
To simplify the procedure for realization of motor vehicle tax and its refund where applicable, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave approval to amend Section 3 and Schedule of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1924 (Amended). The amendment deals with issues like refund of lump sum tax paid in case of a motor car or motorcycle owner shifting to another state with the vehicle and ceasing to be a resident of Punjab, or transfer of ownership of the vehicle to a person having residence outside Punjab. In both such cases, refund of the lump sum tax paid shall be allowed at such rate as may be determined by the Government from time to time.