Jailed MLAs seek better stay

The MLAs, who are lodged in various jails, on Tuesday got an opportunity to put forward their suggestions for improving the condition of inmates during the debate on the demands for grants of jail department.

Presenting the demands for grants of Rs 348.87 crore of his department, Jail minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh said the government is serious about improving the living condition of the inmates and will be making best efforts to provide good food and better medical facilities to them.

Controversial MLA from Mau, Mukhtar Ansari, who is currently lodged at Agra jail, underlined the need for a new jail manual since the "existing one is in use from the British era". He said poor quality of vegetable oil is used for preparing food in the jail and urged the government to allow purchase of refined oil. "A barrack of Agra jail can accommodate only 60 jail inmates but each has over 170 inmates," he added.

Ansari urged the state government to shift him to Ghazipur jail like the two SP MLAs — Abhay Singh and Vijay Mishra — who were shifted to Naini and Faizabad jails.

BSP MLA Rajnarayan Budholiya, who too has experience of staying in jail, however, moved a cut motion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan gave suggestion of allowing the inmates to celebrate their birthday.

Compensation for rape victim: BSP seeks action

BSP members raised the issue of reported rape of an 11-year-old girl in Allahabad alleging that the accused was sent free by a panchayat after charging a fine of Rs 21,000. Describing it as a serious matter, Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya demanded action against the police and panchayat members who took the decision. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan said the government would do everything to ensure justice to the girl.

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