Bhubaneswar: Following in the path of Telangana Government, the Odisha Prisons department is contemplating to give life term prisoners in the state another chance at life. It is gearing up to engage them to run petrol pumps in various jail circles in the state.
Upbeat with the success achieved by Telangana government, Odisha will be starting a pilot project aimed at reforming jail inmates and allowing them to operate petrol pumps planned to be set up outside various jail circles. The Department, December last year, had given a proposal to the Home Department in this regard, sources said.
As per sources, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have given a green signal for the pilot project and development of petrol pumps, reportedly planned to be set up outside Jamujhari, Baripada and Berhampur jail circles.
As per Jail Reforms and Rehabilitation scheme, the pumps will run in two shifts with more than 15 prisoners in each shift along with two jail staff taking the responsibility of Supervisor and Attendant.
Sources further said the profit earned from the petrol pumps would be deposited in the jail welfare fund as well as utilised as incentives for the prisoners.
Whether the prisoners respect the opportunity or mar it, remains a big question. The Prisons Department, however, is awaiting the state government approval to implement the project in Odisha.