Chandigarh: Harjot Singh Bains, jail Minister said that the works being done by the prison department, Bains said that 2829 mobile phones and 1544 sim cards have been confiscated from various jails of the state of Punjab till date after the government assumed power. “Punjab government has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding the use of mobile phones in jails and action has also been taken against many officials in these cases”, he said, while adding that as per the decision of the state government, any prisoner found with a mobile phone will be remanded by the district police for throughout investigation into the matter.

He said that till now drug survey of 26000 prisoners has been conducted. Of which, about 2600 drug addict prisoners have enrolled in Peer Support.

Bains said, a large-scale recruitment campaign is being conducted in the school education department soon, under which deserving youths will get jobs, adding that the detailed survey of 19123 schools of the state is being conducted with the aim of improving school education and to get equitable information about condition of the schools. He said that 100 schools of eminence will be established in the state of Punjab.

For the first time in the history of the state, said Bains, a dedicated policy has been brought for the crusher industry. Apart from this, the price of gravel has been fixed along with sand.

He said that DSR survey of mining areas is being conducted for the first time in the state. As many as 328 cases have been registered against illegal miners since 19 March, 2022 till date and 298 vehicles have also been seized since 15 April 2022 till date, while three crushers have been sealed so far and 89 ‘R notices’ have been issued.

The post 2829 Mobile phones seized from jails in five months in Punjab appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.

CHANDIGARH: In order to make prisons of the state free from illegal drugs and provide an option to inmates to undergo de-addiction and get rehabilitated, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government on Sunday taking first-of-its-kind step towards jail reforms in the country launched ‘Drug Screening Drive’ for diagnosing drug abuse among inmates.

Under the pilot project, the Roopnagar District Jail has successfully conducted screening of all the 950 inmates present in the jail. The screening was conducted in the presence of Special DGP Prisons Harpreet Sing Sidhu, IG Prisons Roop Kumar and DIG Prisons Surinder Singh, and Superintendent Jail Kulwant Singh. Some of the officers from various other prisons across the state also participated for getting first-hand experience in taking up this drive in their respective prisons. The final results of the screening drive will be available within a day after which further action would be initiated.

The brainchild of Punjab Jails Minister Harjot Singh Bains, this state-wide Drug Screening project aims to make prisons free from illegal drugs besides providing provisions to inmates— who have already fallen prey to drugs, to undergo de-addiction treatment and get rehabilitated.

“It was for the first time such an extensive drive had been taken up to cover the entire inmate population of a prison for drug screening on a single day,” said Jails Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while adding that the process would be undertaken across all prisons in the State.

Divulging more details, he said that this is another effort by the Punjab Government to bring reforms in the Punjab Prisons. “This project will help in identifying those inmates with substance use disorders and are not yet undergoing treatment at OOAT Clinics/Deaddiction facilities established within the prison system,” he said.

“With a view to making these persons undergo de-addiction treatment, FIRs will also be lodged under Section 27 of the NDPS Act in case any such person found consuming illegal narcotics,” said the Minister, while adding that the Jails Department will also request the investigation and prosecution authorities to enforce section 64A of the NDPS Act. He said that this will provide such inmates an opportunity to get themselves treated and avail immunity from prosecution through the court.

The Minister said that the Jails department further aims to involve experts in improving de-addiction treatment, Peer Support, and Counselling facilities for inmates in jails. The Police will be requested to conduct a thorough investigation into all cases registered under this drive to plug any loopholes in the prison system regarding illegal drug supply, he added.

While appreciating the Jails Department, he assured all the support to them in making prisons drugs free and cracking down on any corrupt practices.

The post Punjab government launches drug screening drive in Punjab jails to diagnose drug abuse among inmates appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.

Chandigarh: In a major crackdown against nexus of gangsters and criminals operating from jails, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has so far confiscated 710 mobile phones from jails in a specially launched drive.

Divulging the details, the Chief Minister said that during this special drive launched from March 16 to May 10, as many as 710 mobiles have been recovered from jail inmates. He said that from 16th to 31st March 166 mobiles have been recovered whereas 354 mobiles were confiscated from April 1st to 30th adding that 190 mobiles have been recovered from May 1-10. Bhagwant Mann said that these mobiles were used by the gangsters/ smugglers to run their rackets from the jails

The Chief Minister said that investigations are on nab the persons on who’s name these numbers were registered. He said that very soon strict action will be taken against them. Bhagwant Mann further responsibility of the officers and staff of jails who were involved in sneaking these mobiles in the jail will also be fixed.

The Chief Minister further said that abolishing VIP culture in jails the Punjab government has decided to abandon the VIP cells and transforming them into administrative blocks. He said that those lodged in jails have been punished by courts for violating law and they can’t enjoy facilities while sitting in jail. Bhagwant Mann said that these jails will now be truly reform (Sudhar) houses (Ghar) where these criminals will pay for their sin in right earnest.

The post 710 mobiles recovered from jails in 50 days, used by gangsters and criminals for operating gangs appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.

Chandigarh: Acting on a notice issued by the Mohali court, the Patiala Central Jail authorities told the court in a written reply that senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia will get better and improved facilities in the jail round-the-clock security cover.

Jail Superintendent Sucha Singh in his reply to the court claimed that all discrepancies and poor living conditions claimed by Majithia to court recently had been removed and now “favourable atmosphere” to be provided.

He said that jail department personally ensured that proper security arrangements to be provided to protect the life and limb of the accused.

Meanwhile, Additional District and Sessions Judge Sandeep Kumar Singla adjourned the case till April 12.

Earlier, Majithia’s counsel had claimed that his client had been denied basic needs in the jail by his political adversaries.

The post Majithia to get 24X7 security, better facilities, court told appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.