New high-security jail to be built near Ludhiana, says minister

Punjab Minister for Jails Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday announced that an ultra-modern high-security jail would be constructed at village Gorsian Qadar Baksh near Ludhiana at a cost of Rs 100 crore to house notorious inmates separately. The construction of the jail is expected to be completed by next year.

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To come up at village Gorsian Qadar Baksh near Ludhiana at Rs 100 cr, jail will house notorious inmates separately Jammers will be installed in 13 jails to prevent the use of mobile phones 13 DSPs, 175 wardens, 4 matrons to be recruited soon in jails dept Vocational courses and sports activities being encouraged in jails.

Addressing the gathering during a ceremony held at the passing out parade of 173 wardens and six matrons at the In-Service Training Centre in Kapurthala, Laljit Singh Bhullar said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government is taking numerous steps to enhance prison security while also enabling inmates to participate in economic progress through employment opportunities.

He informed that jammers are being installed in 13 jails to prevent the use of mobile phones. Petrol pumps are being established at 12 prisons located along major roads to increase revenue and provide employment to inmates based on their skills under the ‘Punjab Prison Development Board’, said the minister, adding that six petrol pumps are already operational, with two more to begin operations soon.

Highlighting transparent recruitment as a priority area, the cabinet minister announced that recruitment of 13 DSPs, 175 wardens and four matrons in the jails department will be initiated soon.

He said that along with promoting education for inmates’ reformation, new vocational courses and sports activities are being encouraged in jails. Earlier, Laljit Singh Bhullar inspected the parade and honoured cadets who performed exceptionally during the training.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were ADGP (Prisons) Arunpal Singh, IG Sukhminder Singh Maan, IG RK Arora, Commandant Parminder Singh Bhandal, Additional DC (Development) Varinderpal Singh Bajwa, Kanwar Iqbal Singh, Member of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, AAP joint secretary Parvinder Singh Dhot and family members of graduating staff.