Government to take up clemency pleas of prisoners

Charlapally: Telangana Home Minister Mahmood Ali has said that the government would consider grant of clemency to some prisoners in the upcoming meeting to be held in the first week of March. He was speaking at Charlapally Central Prison during its 5th annual sports and cultural fair on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, he expressed happiness over recognising prisoners as ‘ashramvasis.’ He said that there is currently a lot of recognition for the products made by the prisoners.

After the formation of the state, Telangana has stood in the forefront in all the sectors, inspiring other states, he said. As part of jail reforms, the state has provided direct employment to some 500 prisoners and indirect employment to some thousands of released prisoners, he said. He lauded the jail authorities for providing employment with Rs 15,000 per month as stipend. He also praised the sincere efforts of DG Vinay Kumar Singh, who has not only been strengthening jail’s department, but also bringing positive behavioural changes among prisoners.

DG Vinay Kumar Singh has said that the department is striving to transform each prisoner into a Valmiki. By developing the prisons, the department has been striving to empty jails with good reforms, he said.Later, sports competitions were conducted for 100m and 400m running races, badminton, kabaddi, cricket, volleyball, chess and carroms.

Cultural programs, such as kolatam, mimicry, plays, singing of folklore and patriotic songs, qawwali and dances were performed by prisoners of different jails. While Hyderabad range stood first in almost all the competitions, Warangal range stood second. The home minister handed over the prizes to the winners.