SHIMLA: The High Court of Himachal Pradesh on Friday directed state government to depute a female gynaecologist, provide services of counsellor at Central Jail, Kanda and provide Sweet dish to all jail inmates on Sunday across the state.
Not only this, the High Court, among other things, directed the state to open retail outlets at each district court and district collector’s office for sale for Products manufactured by the Jail Inmates in the state.
Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua issued these and other directions to the State of Himachal Pradesh on a petition taken up suo moto by the Court as Public Interest Litigation. PIL was taken up on the directions issued by the Supreme Court in matter related to inhuman conditions in 1382 Prisons across country.
The Bench directed the government to place on record the exact status of the construction of the new buildings of District Jails at Nalagarh, Kullu, Mandi, and Solan. The Court sought a specific statement as to within what period of time the remaining construction work of the buildings of the District Jails shall be completed.
High Court further directed the state government to place on record the position of vacancies of the staff in different jails. “Give categorical statement as to in what period of time, all such vacancies shall be filled up”.
Bench directed the government to immediately provide services of at-least one female Gynecologist to the female prisoners in Central Jail, Kanda on weekly visit from the nearby Government Hospitals.
The Court also sought Government's specific report as to whether the facility of Creche is provided to the children with their Mothers lodged as convict/under-trial prisoners.
High Court also ordered the government to provide services of Counsellor or Psychologist to the prisoners at Central Jail Kanda on permanent basis.
The State should consider providing sanitary napkins through vending machine at-least at Model Central Jail, Kanda, the Courted ruled.
Provide Outlets in District Courts and DC Offices in Himachal
The Court further ordered that the state government should provide outlets in the premises of different District Courts and offices of Deputy Commissioners of the State for sale of the items/products prepared/manufactured by the prisoners. The state should consider giving tax rebate on the sale of products made by the jail inmates.
The government should consider getting allotment of retail outlets of the Oil Companies for the welfare of the prisoners as being done by other States in the central jails in the country, the Court ruled.
The Bench furthered directed the state to consider providing necessary funds for recreational and sports activities of the prisoners in different Jails of the State.
The Court also directed the government to produce on the next date of hearing, menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner/meals being provided to the prisoners in the state.
In the meanwhile provide any one sweet item to all the jail inmates, preferably on every Sunday and submit report thereabout, on the next date of hearing. Courted ordered.
New Jail Manual Deadline
High Court also directed the state to file an affidavit as to within what period of time, the New Jail Manual shall be finalized.
The Court also sought reply whether Female Prisoners are being provided with any uniform/dress by the Jail Authorities and if not, why?
The matter has been fixed for 5th May, 2022.