For want of notification, jail yet to get new premises
FEROZEPUR: As the state government has failed to issue a notification to acquire 25 acres of land at Khai Pheme Ki village, the new central jail here has been hanging fire for long.
A few years ago, the state jail authorities had approved the construction of the new modernised jail on 44 acres of panchayat land at the village on the Ferozepur- Fazilka road, but later demanded another 25 acres for which the government had to issue a notification to acquire the land of farmers.
But for reasons known to the authorities, the notification was not issued and the proposal to shift the Ferozepur central jail has been lying pending.
Sources said that to avoid the ire of farmers in response to the acquisition of their land, a proposal was made to amend the design of the new jail and construct it in two storeys, but it failed to get approval.
The proposal to vacate the present jail site is being seen as a major resource generator for the government, as the prime property on Mall Road would fetch a handsome amount in auction.
Besides providing revenue for the construction of a modern jail at the new site, the auction might lead to generating reve- nue for the state government.
The Punjab Infrastructure and Development Board has already taken 22 acres of land out of 62 acres of the present jail.
Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had given consent to construct the new jail as the current building is dilapidated besides being packed to capacity.
DGP ( jails) Anil Kaushik and other senior officials had visited two sites -- Khai Pheme Ki village on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road and Malwal village on the Ferozepur-Moga road -- to construct the new jail and reportedly okayed the site at Khai Pheme Ki village.
The village panchayat had unanimously agreed to give the land and the state government had decided to pay them Rs 3 crore, but there was no further decision and the land had remained unused for long, said Nachhatar Singh, sarpanch of Khai Pheme Ke village. Sensing no development in the immediate future, they had given the land on contract, he said.
Deputy commissioner Manjit Singh Narang said the moment the government issued the notification, they would resolve the matter while keeping in view the interest of the farmers.