Yogesh K Porwar & Sunil Lohan
T
he state government has recently announced an increase in lock-up contingency funds,doubling the budget from Rs.75 to Rs.150 per detainee.
This move is aimed at addressing the rising costs of essentials such as food and other necessities for suspects detained in police stations,and reduce the burden of the station house in-charge.
The sharp rise in inflation and the subsequent increase in the price of basic commodities have placed a significant strain on the resources allocated for detainees.
With this adjustment,the government hopes to ensure that the basic needs of suspects in custody are met adequately,preventing issues such as food shortages and malnutrition during detention.
Officials from the state’s law enforcement and correctional services applauded the decision,noting that the previous allocation had become increasingly insufficient.
They also highlighted that the hike in the cost of essential goods, such as foodstuffs,hygiene products, and other necessities, had made it difficult to maintain detainees’welfare under the old funding model.
It may be recalled that the government in the year 2000 has raided the lock up contingency fund from Rs.16 to and later revised the fund to Rs.75 in 2014 based on the recommendation of state human rights commission.
However due to steep in hike of the price of essentials and food a proposal was made from the state police headquarters with a request to increase the amount to Rs. 300 as the present budget has burdened the station house officers.
Considering the request the state government has increased the allocation to 100 per cent and fixed it to Rs.150.
Many police officials welcome the decision stating that it is somehow gave them some respite.However many police officials said that the revised amount is not enough for two square meal and they continue to spend money from the pocket to provide decent food for the inmates.
