The Maharashtra government would set up a high-level committee to examine the feasibility of shifting central jails situated within city limits across the state including the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to outskirts, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly today.
Responding to a Calling Attention motion initiated by Pranoti Shinde (Congress) and others, the Chief Minister said that representatives from Home and Urban Development would be part of this proposed Secretary-level committee which would prepare and submit its report in this regard.
The CM conceded that urban development in areas near to jails have been badly affected following existing norms which ban renovation and new constructions within the periphery of 500 metre from the prison.
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The present norms were formulated after a High Court order and recommendation of a committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (home), the House was informed.
However, the National Jail Manual says such restriction would be only within the periphery of 150 metres.
The Arthur Road jail too is located in the heart of Mumbai affecting urban development prospects in the vicinity.
"The proposed committee would examine the feasibility of shifting of present jails which are situated in the heart of the cities to the outskirts besides setting up hospitals and courts in the jail campus for prisoners, and relaxation of norms for new construction and renovation within the area after taking into consideration court guidelines and the model national jail manual," Fadnavis said.
He said the government would also provide video-conference facility to all jails for court trials and other needs.
Instructions would be communicated to all jail authorities soon on this, he added.
Shinde had pointed out to urban development constraints in an area in Solapur because of such norms.
The government should relax these norms or shift the jail to outside, she demanded.
