APPROVAL: In principle approval for double storey central jail in Bathinda

Chandigarh, December 31, 2012: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principle approval to construct double storied modern Central Jail at Bathinda over an area of 40 acres of land along with the residential accommodations for staff.

A decision to this effect has been taken by Badal at a high level meeting with the officers of Jail department at the Chief Minister’s residence this morning.

Badal asked the Jail Department to get the entire construction plan re-designed within a week as per their requirements to accommodate about 2500 inmates. He also assured that government would arrange 28 acres in addition to the existing land for further expansion of the Jail in future.

In a bid to develop Jails in the state as self sustainable, Badal asked the Jail department to chalk out a plan through involving some big Industrial houses for utilising the services of Jail Inmates after providing them sufficient skill training in a particular trade.

The DGP Jails informed to the Chief Minister that the department had initiated the process of registration of ‘Jail Development and Welfare Society’ and assured him to work out a concrete strategy to involve local Industries under PPP mode to engage entrusted Jail inmates for different Industrial activities.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Jails, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Principal Secretary to the CM SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to the CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary Jails Hussan Lal, DGP Jails RP Mina and IG Jails Jagjit Singh.