AP assembly clears Bills on prison reforms, irrigation management systems

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh assembly on Monday passed two amendment Bills — the Prisons and Correctional Services Act and the Andhra Pradesh Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems Act.While the Prisons and Correctional Services (Amendment) Bill aims to introduce reformative measures in prisons, the Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems Bill removes the ineligibility clause, allowing people with more than two children to contest in elections.Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the govt initiated steps for prisoner reforms and implemented changes in line with the law brought by the Union govt. She said efforts are being made to improve opportunities for prisoners to pursue education while serving their sentence.She informed the house that anganwadi centres are being set up inside prisons for the children of women inmates, while prisoners will be categorised based on criminal history and behaviour.Anita added that open-air prisons are being established to encourage psychological and behavioural transformation among inmates. Measures are also being taken to engage prisoners in agriculture and other professions. Meanwhile, irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu introduced the Andhra Pradesh Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems (Amendment) Bill. The Bill was brought in line with the state govt's population management policy. As the fertility rate in Andhra Pradesh is declining, the govt reversed all laws that were brought to control population growth. Similar amendments were already made to the Panchayatraj Act and the Municipal Act.