Source-This post on Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme is based on the article “Centre allocates ₹20 crore to bail out poor prisoners ” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Union government has allocated an annual fund of Rs. 20 crore to aid poor prisoners nationwide. This initiative is part of its “Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme” under the priority of “reaching the last mile: no one to be left behind.”
What is the significance of this Initiative?
1. It will offer assistance to poor prisoners who cannot afford to pay fines or obtain bail because of financial limitations.
2. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data of 2020, roughly 76% of individuals in Indian prisons were under-trials. Among these, approximately 68% were either illiterate or school dropouts.
3. Lengthy detention of under-trials is often linked to their economic status. Many lack the financial resources to pay for bail or legal representation.
What is Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme?
| Aspect | Details |
| Launched by | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Aim | To provide financial support to poor prisoners who are not being released from jails as they are unable to pay the fine imposed on them or are not able to secure bail due to financial constraints. |
| Identification of beneficiaries | An Empowered Committee at the district level and an “Oversight Committee” at the headquarters level will be established to identify prisoners. |
| Nodal Agency | The National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) has been designated as the Central Nodal Agency(CNA) for this scheme. |
| Funding | Funds to the States/UTs will be provided through the Central Nodal Agency(CNA). |
Note- Guidelines for the utilization of the fund and a standard operating procedure (SOP) were also introduced for the implementation of the Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme.
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