15 Sep : Today Sh. Ram Niwas inspected the Model Jail, Burail, U.T., Chandigarh accompanied by Sh.Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa, AIG-cum-Superintendent Jail and other officials. There were 454 undertrials, 215 convicts, 1 detenue and 4 condemned prisoners lodged in the Jail.
Sh. Ram Niwas inspected the Jail Factory and discussed the problems of inmates. The inmates were making furniture for Govt Offices and the jail factory was also running a restoration workshop of, Pierre Jeanneret and Le-Corbusier furniture. AIG Jails brought to his notice that there is lack of work because of non-availability of orders from schools, colleges and Govt Offices. Keeping the same in mind Sh Ram Niwas IAS decided that all schools, colleges and govt offices will be directed to place all their furniture requirements with the Jail factory. He was of the opinion that the wages of the prisoners is less. AIG Prisons was directed to put up the case for the enhancement of wages for the approval of Ministry of Home Affairs.
The jail Kitchen was inspected and the Chapattis and Dal (Mulaza) was tasted by him. The Chapattis were alright whereas Dal required more cooking and required more oil Tarka. It was brought to his notice by Deputy Superintendent Jail that as per Jail Manual only 7.50 gms oil, 1 gms onion and 1 gms garlic, 1 gms Mirchi powder, 1 gms dhania 1 gms haldi,(one time for per prisoner) is sanctioned to prepare Dal and which is not sufficient to garnish the Dal. He asked the convict cooks if they had any problem to which they have none. The cooking team was directed to make tastier food.
He was of the opinion that there should be increase in extra curricular activities in Model Jail, Chandigarh. AIG Jails was directed to organize Yoga Camps and allied activities with the help of the organizers of Patanjali Yog, Art of Living etc.
The jail Dispensary was inspected by him. 40 to 50 patients come everyday and over a week the jail is visited by specialists doctors as per their roaster. Nepali prisoner Paras Ram met him and stated that he had finished his sentence and he has not been released. The AIG Jail informs him that the case is under process with Chandigarh Administration for consideration.
The Jail compound was neat and clean. No other complaint was received against the Jail Administration.
He also directed that in future all Government Offices, schools & colleges will purchase their furniture from the Model Jail factory. Local purchase of furniture would be allowed if the jail factory is unable to make a particular product.