Chhattisgarh CM Skill Development Scheme commences in Jails of the State
Dr Raman Singh inaugurated the scheme in Central Jail Raipur
Wages of 10 thousand prisoners of state to be hiked, announced Chief Minister
Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today inaugurated skill development training programme for prisoners under Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme, in a state-level function organized in Central Jail of capital city Raipur. In the first phase of this scheme, training programmes have commenced in seven jails of state- Raipur, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Jashpur and Kanker. In these seven districts, nearly 450 prisoners are being trained in various trades.
Dr Singh also announced that the wages of convicts in jail will be hiked. More than ten thousand prisoners in jails of state will be benefitted by the implementation of this announcement, as the daily wages of skilled prisoners will be hiked from Rs 30 to Rs 75 and that of unskilled prisoners will be hiked from Rs 25 to Rs 60. The function was jointly organized by Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Agency and Jail Department. Dr Singh also inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Astha Swavlamban Prashikshan Kendra, where skill development training of prisoners will be held. On the occasion, Chief Minister announced sanction of Rs five lakh from discretionary funds for cattle rearing in Central Jail Raipur. On the occasion, Higher Education Minister Mr. Premprakash Pandey, Home and Jail Minister Mr. Ajay Chandrakar, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Labhchand Bafna, MLA Mr. Shrichand Sundrani and Mayor Raipur Municipal Corporation Mr. Pramod Dubey were also present. In the function, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh released the departmental guide prepared under skill development scheme. Dr Singh said that the jails should be developed as penitentiary. He added that not all the prisoners are of criminal mindset, many of them often commit crime in heat of the moment. Chhattisgarh Government will provide them training in various trades to make them skilled so that they may start a new chapter of their life after they are released from the jails. He said that the prisoners of Central Jail will be provided training in cooking by reputed hotels and restaurants. Chief Minister said that most of the prisoners in our jails are from rural areas, they should be provided training in agricultural activities. He gave instructions to arrange required facilities for this training in the proposed open jail in Bemetara. Chief Minister also inspected jail premise. He also had a look at handicraft items made by prisoners.
Higher Education Minister Mr. Premprakash Pandey informed that under Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme, more than 28 lakh people have been already provided training in various trades. Presently, 38 thousand people are availing skill development training. Home and Jail Minister Mr. Ajay Chandrakar also addressed the function saying that the prisoners should be provided life skills and behavioral training, along with the professional training. Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Labhchand Bafna also addressed the function. Director General of Jail and Correctional Services Department Mr. Giridhari Nayak delivered welcome speech. Vote of thanks was proposed by Deputy Inspector General of Jail Mr. KK Gupta. On the occasion, Principal Secretary of Home Department Mr. BVR Subramanyam, Director General of Police Mr. AN Upadhyay, Technical Education Secretary Mrs. Renu Pillai, Director Skill Development Authority Ms Priyanka Shukla and other senior officers were also present.
