Cabinet clears amendments in Prisons Act to bring order in jails

There will be provision for jail term between three and seven years for offences by inmates against the existing one-year sentence

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday decided to amend the Prisons Act 1894 to bring order in jails through more stringent punishment for offences such as rioting, escape from prison, and other violation of rules.

The cabinet meeting was chaired by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh through video conferencing.

A bill to bring in the necessary changes will be introduced in the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, scheduled to begin on March 1.

As per a proposal mooted by the jails department, new penal provisions will be added to the said Act to strengthen security arrangements and prevent the use of mobile phones by inmates, riots, assault on staff, damage to the jail property, incidents of absconding, possession of drugs, etc.

Section 52-A(1) has been amended with imprisonment not less than three years, which may extend up to 7 years or with fine (not exceeding ₹50,000) for offences against prison discipline. In case of nonpayment of fine, the imprisonment may be further extended to one year, and on second or subsequent conviction, shall be punished with the imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than 5 years but which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend ₹5 lakh. Currently, there is provision for maximum of 1 year jail term and fine not exceeding ₹25,000.

Sub-section (3) of Section 52-A shall be now omitted as it earlier stipulated that the prisoner shall undergo the sentence awarded under sub-section (1) or under sub-section (2) after the completion of the sentence already undergoing.

A new Sections 52-B deals with punishment for rioting, while Section 52-C with punishment

for assault or use of criminal force to deter prison official from discharge of duty, as well as for punishment for assault or criminal force.

Construction of 25,000 houses for EWS

The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved a new EWS policy, paving the way for construction of more than 25,000 houses for the economically weaker sections. Under the policy, developers and authorities are required to reserve 5% of the project area for EWS housing.

As per a government spokesperson,

these houses will be constructed in reasonably sized pockets, along with social infrastructure, such as schools, community centres and dispensaries, at convenient locations to ensure comfortable living for the beneficiaries.

The houses under the new policy will be constructed with the brick-less technology, using services of qualified project management agencies (PMAS). They will be offered to eligible families, who will be financed by banks at affordable monthly instalments.

The policy provides for eligible applicants to furnish proof of birth in Punjab or 10 years’ stay in the state from the date of application. Family income should not be more than ₹3 lakh per annum. The applicant/his spouse/minor child must not already own freehold/leasehold residential plot/dwelling unit in Punjab or Chandigarh, and the applicant will be required to self-certify on these counts.

The government will fix sale price for EWS keeping in view the cost of construction of unit, proportionate cost of site development and common infrastructure such as school, community centre etc. and administrative charges such as PMC, advertisement cost, which would not exceed 5% of the total project cost. Land cost will be taken as zero and there will be exemption from EDC on such EWS projects.

Also, to simplify the procedure for realisation of motor vehicle tax and its refund where applicable, the cabinet approved amendment to Section 3 and Schedule of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1924 (Amended).

The cabinet also condoled the death of noted Punjabi singer Sardool Sikander.