Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* REPRESENTATIVES OF SIKH ORGANIZATIONS ASSURED OF ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH UTMOST SENSITIVITY AND SYMPATHY
Chandigarh, May 28 : To ensure resolution of pending matters related to Sikh prisoners expeditiously within the ambit of existing rules & regulations, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level committee comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Jails, Additional Director Generals of Intelligence & Prisons besides four representatives of Sikh organizations. The committee has been mandated to examine such specific cases meticulously so as to ensure timely release of these prisoners lodged in different jails of Punjab and outside the state.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Mr. Badal during the meeting, with the representatives of the some Sikh organizations to review the situation arising out of fast-to-unto-death by S. Surat Singh Khalsa, held here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning.
The Chief Minister also assured them the committee would examine each and every case as per the list of 82 cases submitted by the representatives of the Sikh organizations in the meeting, on priority
Taking part in the deliberations during the meeting, the representatives of these organizations urged the Chief Minister to take steps for release of some convicts belonging to Punjab, who were lodged in jails outside the State. They were informed in the meeting that the Chief Minister had already personally taken up this issue with the Chief Ministers of the concerned states.
The Chief Minister deputed Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to pursue this matter with these state governments and also asked him to visit these states to ensure timely action as permissible under law. The representatives also impressed upon the Chief Minister to sympathetically consider the matter of getting the convicts lodged in other states transferred to Punjab. Responding to this issue, the Chief Minister assured them that the state government would look into their all requests and issues with required sensitivity and sympathy.
Representatives of the Sikh organizations also requested that the state government should expedite requests for parole wherever it was sought. Referring to this issue, it was informed to them that the state government has already streamlined the process for the release of prisoners on parole and if any such case of delay comes to their notice, it should be immediately brought to the notice of the concerned authorities.
Raising an another issue for the release of under-trials on bail by these representatives, it was informed to them that under the guidelines of the Supreme Court and with the introduction of a new section 436A in the Code of Criminal Procedure, expeditious action for release of such convicts, who have to be completed half or more of the term for which they were being sentenced, would be taken as prescribed by the Apex Court of india.
Meanwhile, the representatives were apprised that the Supreme Court in the case of Union of india v/s V.Sriharan @ Murugan & Others had stayed premature release of any convict.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary (Jails) Mr. Sanjay Kumar Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Additional Director General of Intelligence Mr. Hardeep Singh Dhillon and Additional Director General Prisons Mr. RP Meena.
