The Government Order dated September 5, 2007 has sanctioned 50 gm of toothpowder or paste and 150 gm of toilet soap per prisoner per month. “They have sanctioned Rs 17 for toothpowder and Rs 12 for soap per prisoner per month.
There are 13,000 prisoners in the State and the overall budget for these basic toiletries is estimated at Rs 3,58,759 per month and Rs 43,05,108 per year,” said Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Prisons S T Ramesh.
At present, prisoners spend own money to buy soap and toothpowder from the prison canteen.
“We will finalise the methodology and soon start supplying the toiletries. Hitherto,they were only entitled to washing soap manufactured in the prison and a small amount of coconut oil,” he added.
Compensation
The government has also agreed to offer 30 days’ compensation in a year to prison staff for working on gazetted holidays.
“Till now, the prison authorities, unlike police personnel, were entitled to only 15 days’ compensation. I wrote a letter to the government requesting them to provide the same facility to prison officials. I am glad the government has agreed to give them 30 days’ compensation,” said Mr Ramesh.
The GO was passed on September 12.