Plans afoot to create welfare fund for jail inmates

Times of India Reports:

PATNA: Plans are afoot to create a Prison Welfare Fund in Bihar. The home (prison) department is chalking out the details which would be
submitted to the government for its final approval.

"Our primary objective is to provide financial help to inmates suffering from serious diseases like cancer and kidney failure among others. A welfare fund can be of great help in realising this goal," a senior official of the department said and added that the final blueprint of the plan would be ready very shortly.

He said that apart from seeking funds from the government, details were also being discussed to ensure contribution from inmates to the fund from their earnings inside jail. "Though the inmates' contribution would be meagre compared to the funds provided by the state government, still it would help in instilling a sense of participation among them," he added.

Incidentally, poor medical facilities in Bihar jails have been a matter of concern for quite some time and according to official sources, many inmates had to suffer due to this drawback.

"The financial support of welfare fund would allow the inmates to get best possible medical aid in need of hour," the official added.

He said that apart from quality medical aid, the welfare fund would also be used on special occasions like festivals for distributing garments among the inmates.

Meanwhile, Rotary Patna Greater Club has asked officials of Beur Central Jail, Patna, to submit a proposal for construction of four-bed intensive care unit (ICU) on the jail hospital premises. The proposal was sought during a recent visit of club office-bearers to the jail.

"We are ready for constructing the ICU in principle and once the proposal is received it would be put before the club board for final approval," said board member of the club Naresh Dikshit.

Expressing his happiness over the club gesture, Beur jail superintendent O P Gupta said that ICU would be of great help to the inmates who, otherwise, have to be shifted to other hospitals in case of serious ailments.