COVID-19 Threat: Odisha Govt Grants Rs 50 Crore To Jails

Bhubaneswar: Considering the high threat perception to the jail inmates, the state government has sanctioned over Rs 50 crore to ensure hygiene and sanitation in 86 jails and staff quarters.

The fund will be used to procure equipment like organic waste converters, dry cleaning machines, vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers. “As a first step, organic waste converters and dry cleaning equipment will be supplied to five circle jails where about 700 to 900 inmates are lodged,” said Santosh Upadhyay, Director General of Prisons and Director of Correctional Services, according to a TNIE report.

For improvement of infrastructure of the jails, the government has sanctioned Rs 8 crore to Roads and Building (R&B) wing and Rural Development department. The residential quarters for prison staff will also be undertaken at 44 places with the fund.

At present, about 16,500 inmates have been lodged in 86 jails in the state.

It may be noted that six jail inmates in Rourkela were detected to be infected by coronavirus on June 7 while a 47-year-old man near Jharpada Jail in Bhubaneswar tested positive for the virus on June 26.

Also Read: One Death, 6 New Corona Cases & 19 Recoveries In Bhubaneswar Today; COVID-19 Tally Nears 300 Mark