458 inmates benefit from poor prisoners scheme: Govt in RS

As many as 458 prisoners have benefited so far under the Centre’s ‘Support to Poor Prisoners’ scheme, the Government informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

This information was given in response to a question by TMC MP Saket Gokhale, who asked whether the Government could State the “reasons why the undertrial population in Indian prisons remains chronically above 75 per cent, despite the introduction of fast-track courts and digitised bail systems; the status of the ‘Support for Poor Prisoners’ scheme; and whether Government is considering a statutory cap on prison occupancy rates”.

In the written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the scheme, launched in 2023, aims to provide financial assistance to prisoners who are unable to pay fines or secure bail due to financial constraints.