Punjab govt okays Rs 20-cr jail upgrade plan

The Punjab government today gave its nod to a plan to modernise and upgrade security at jails in the state at a cost of Rs 20 crore.
The decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a high-level meeting of the jail department, according to a release here.
The comprehensive plan, submitted by jail department, aims at completely overhauling prison security systems with the installation of high-powered jammers, door metal detectors and other equipment.
The meeting also saw the CM stress on the need to strictly check the supply of drugs in jails, a menace which he said posed a serious threat to inmates.

Badal also cleared a proposal for recruitment of 573 ex-servicemen from the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation for deployment in jails to bolster security.
The CM asked principal secretary (home), DS Bains, to explore the scope for simplifying the process of inmates' release upon completion of their prison sentences.