Dehradun: Uttarakhand is prepared to take action as part of a coordinated effort to carry out the “Aid for Indigent Inmates Initiative,” which was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and is designed to provide financial assistance to prisoners. Intensified preparations have been made as a result of this program, which aims to lessen the financial difficulties that inmates face. The creation of an authorized committee, headed by the District Magistrate, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Government of India is required by an order from the Additional Chief Secretary.
This empowered committee will use its ability to decide how much bail or fines to impose in each instance. Following the declaration made by the Union Minister of Finance at the presentation of the Union Budget for the Financial Year 2023–2024, this urgent measure was taken. In a letter dated June 19, 2023, the Home Secretary of the Government of India addressed the need for financial help for impoverished inmates burdened by the cost of excessive fines or bail.
This significant breakthrough was made public during a recent review meeting that the Union Home Minister called last Saturday. Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister, immediately sent instructions to state authorities and insisted on their prompt compliance. As a result, the Additional Chief Secretary has today issued a number of directives to quicken the implementation procedure.
Radha Raturi, Additional Chief Secretary, has established a district-level empowered group to lead this initiative. This committee, which will strictly adhere to the instructions and operational guidelines of the Government of India, will be presided over by the district magistrate. The senior superintendent of police, the jail superintendent, the district judge, and the secretary of the district legal services authority are among its members.
The committee will be responsible for carefully adhering to the Government of India’s established standard operating procedures for assessing the necessary resources for bail or fine payments in each case. The District Magistrate will take the appropriate steps by using the Central Nodal Agency created by the Crime Records Bureau in order to make the distribution of cash easier. Additionally, as judged appropriate for the welfare of the prisoners, the committee will choose a nodal officer and enlist the aid of representatives from social institutions, social workers, and district probation officials.
This enormous project demonstrates Uttarakhand’s dedication to providing a lifeline to individuals trapped by the intricacies of the legal system and ensuring a more equitable administration of justice for all.
