Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh–
Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, has issued revised guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for the "Support to Poor Prisoners" scheme in the state. The comprehensive guidelines aim to provide financial assistance to economically deprived prisoners whose freedom is impeded solely due to their inability to pay court-imposed fines or secure bail.
Dr. Misra emphasized that the revised framework introduces stringent timelines and robust institutional mechanisms to ensure swift and effective relief to deserving prisoners in Haryana. The initiative not only addresses the plight of poor prisoners but also has significant potential to reduce overcrowding in the state's prisons.
Under the revised guidelines, District-Level Empowered Committees will be constituted in each district of Haryana, comprising representatives from the District Collector's office, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Police Department, Prison Administration, and the Judiciary. The Secretary of DLSA will serve as the Convener and Coordinating Incharge of these committees, which will meet regularly on the first and third Monday of each month to review and approve cases. Additionally, a State-Level Oversight Committee will be established, bringing together the Principal Secretary (Home/Jail), Secretary (Law Department), Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority, DG/IG (Prisons), and the Registrar General of the High Court to provide supervision and ensure effective implementation across Haryana.
Dr. Misra informed that for undertrial prisoners who are unable to secure bail due to financial constraints, assistance up to Rs. 50,000 per case will be provided, with the Empowered Committee having discretion to approve amounts up to Rs. 1 lakh in exceptional circumstances. Cases requiring support exceeding Rs. 1 lakh will be referred to the State-Level Oversight Committee for consideration and approval. For convicted prisoners unable to pay court-imposed fines, assistance up to Rs. 25,000 can be sanctioned by the Empowered Committee, while amounts exceeding this threshold require Oversight Committee approval, she added.
Dr. Misra highlighted the streamlined implementation timeline established under the new SOPs. If an undertrial prisoner is not released within seven days of bail being granted, jail authorities must immediately inform the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The entire process, from initial assessment and verification of the prisoner's financial condition to fund release and court deposit, has been structured to be completed within a clearly defined timeframe. The Secretary, DLSA, with assistance from Jail Visiting Lawyers, Paralegal Volunteers, or civil society representatives, will verify the prisoner's financial status within five days. Subsequently, the Empowered Committee will direct the release of funds within five days of receiving the report, and the amount will be deposited in court within five days of the Committee's decision.
The Additional Chief Secretary clarified that while the scheme aims to assist the economically disadvantaged, it includes necessary safeguards to prevent misuse. The benefit will not be available to persons accused of offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, NDPS Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, or other specified legislation. Persons involved in heinous crimes such as acts of terrorism, offenses affecting national security, dowry deaths, rape, human trafficking, or offenses under the POCSO Act will also not be extended the benefit of the scheme. The Empowered Committees and Oversight Committee will exercise due caution in this regard.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has been designated as the Central Nodal Agency for implementing this scheme nationwide. A Nodal Officer will be appointed at the State Prison Headquarters level to draw requisite amounts based on recommendations from the Empowered or Oversight Committees and release funds to the concerned prison's account where the beneficiary is lodged.