Hike in wages state's Diwali gift to prisoners

BHOPAL: In a move being seen as nothing short of a Diwali gift, the state government has effected a major hike in daily wages of prisoners they get for work they do in jails during the period of incarceration. The revised wages will benefit 33,000 prisoners, currently lodged in 123 jails in the state with immediate effect.
The orders for wages' hike, issued on November 5 states that prisoners engaged in agriculture-related activities in jails would get Rs 55 per day, up from a measly Rs 10 per day they were getting so far.The prisoners will get the benefit with immediate effect.
Similarly, skilled labourers deployed in commercial activities like weaving and crafting would get Rs 55 per day from an earlier Rs 27 per day. The semi-skilled labourers involved in other commercial activities will get Rs 50 per day from the earlier Rs 21.
"With revised rates, MP has become the state that pays highest wages to prisoners in the country. We take their services for only half day ie 6 hours per day and pay wages for the entire day. The remaining half day is used for other activities, including recreation" said DIG (Prisons) R S Vijayvargiya.
Wage is deposited in a prisoner's bank account which the person can use for paying fees to his advocate, besides, giving to family or making any other use.
As per the rule, it is mandatory to work for the ones sentenced with rigorous imprisonment, sentenced for more than two years of jail term, to work in jails. While working in jail is optional for under-trials and the ones sentenced for less than 2 years, the officials added.
The revision of wages in jails began after directives of apex court in 2000. The court had directed the state governments to pay prisoners as per the laws the labour department laid down and to set up wage board for recommending wage revision at regular intervals. In MP, it is the third revision after the Supreme Court issued directives, the officials added.