The SAC meeting on Monday issued a directive to the prime minister, who is also the home minister, the chief secretary of the government, the home secretary and the police chief to this effect.[break]
While the committee instructed the directorate of prison management and top police officers to immediately bring about reforms in the screening and monitoring of inmates and visitors, it has directed the government to provide necessary equipment and logistics.
The parliamentary committee also sought details within the next 15 days about the progress made in connection with the implementation of the committee´s previous recommendations on prison reforms.
The committee´s directive came a day after top officials at the meeting said a complete overhaul of jail is necessary as thousands of inmates are staying in dilapidated buildings built nearly a hundred years ago.
Officials at the meeting on Sunday had presented an alarming picture of all 74 jails across the country. They said while the jails nationwide can accommodate 6,416 inmates only, these jails are housing 10,923 inmates.
The committee held discussion on security and management of prisons following last week´s shooting at central jail. Posing himself as a visitor, an Indian national sneaked a revolver into the central jail and shot at a television executive, who is an inmate.
The SAC also sought details about the facilities provided to the incumbent and former ministers, senior officials, political leaders, social activists and industrialists from the state coffers.
(Photo: Bhaswor Ojha)
It has sought details about the vehicles, fuel facilities, logistics, security personnel and civil servants provided as personal security officers and aides to the leaders and top officials by the government. The committee has called for the details from the chief secretary of the government by April 3.
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