Adhocism in central, district jails in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 3 (UNI) Posts of superintendents in central and district jails in Chhattisgarh are lying vacant and probationers and welfare officers are holding the charge due to ''undue delay'' in promotions and direct recruitment, jail department sources said.

Probation and welfare officers are holding the post of jail superintendents in four central jails and nearly a dozen district jails in the state.

Even as there was resentment among jail officials over entrusting the charge of jail superintendent to probationers besides delay in promotions, the state government tried to hand over the charge of superintendent to jailors without giving them promotions.

However, the move was challenged when Mr R P Tumnia, jailor posted at Central jail at Ambikapur, refused to accept his posting as incharge of Jashpur jail and moved the High Court.

Alleging that some of the welfare officers and those on probation, who are holding the charge of jail superinendent, were influencing the department to stick on to their posts, the sources claimed that corruption in jails were also one of the reason for adhocism in jails.

Separate posts of probation and welfare officers are sanctioned in central jails to look after the matters related to the welfare of jail inmates. However, many of them are holding the charge of jail superinendent.

In Raipur central jail, where 2,200 inmates are lodged, a probation officer is holding the charge of jail superintendent, while class two officers are holding the charge of central jails at Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur.

When contacted, additional chief secretary (Home) B K S Ray refused to comment on the delay in direct recruitment and departmental promotions.

UNI AS-JJ RR GC1450