Several steps underway to improve Punjab jails: Gabria

Fatehgarh Sahib, Nov 16 (UNI) Punjab Minister for Jails Hira Singh Gabria today said that departmental inquiry into the death of the Nihang chief Ajit Singh Poohla inside the jail, was almost complete and action would be initiated accordingly.

Talking to media persons at Jawahar Nivodaya Vidalaya, Farour, Mr Gabria said that outcome of judicial inquiry into this matter was awaited and authoroties were cotemplating several steps to improve the conditions.

He said that the state government had decided to include shops of daily use in the jails to come up at Ropar, Nabha and Kapurthala and the process of setting up such shops in existing jails is under consideration.

He said that while there was enough place for prisoners in Punjab jails, overcrowding occurs whenever the strength of under-trials goes up.

He said giving witness through video-conferencing will be started shortly in the state jails so that the problem of hard-core criminals escaping on way to courts can be prevented.

While talking about promoting tourism in Punjab, Mr Gabria, who is also tourism minister, said Punjab was first state to finalise a master plan to link religious and ancient places to attract tourists and a sum of 4 crore has been released for this purpose.

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