Jail inmates to operate 12 retail outlets in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7

In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at reforming jail inmates, the Punjab Prisons Development Board (PPDB) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) for opening 12 retail outlets (ROs), which will be manned by prisoners across the state.

The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister approved the execution of the MoU with the IOCL and the BPCL. Out of 12 retail outlets, 11 would be opened by the Indian Oil and one by the BPCL.

The MoU was executed by Additional Director General of Police-cum-Member Secretary- Punjab Prisons Development Board Praveen Kumar Sinha, while Amarendra Kumar executed it on behalf of the IOCL.