Odisha is one of the few States which has started implementing the e-Prisons Project, aiming digitisation of entire prison management system on fast track basis.
The Union Government has sanctioned Rs 1.60 crore for e-Prisons Prison Management System (PMS) project in Odisha.
While Union Secretary of Home Affairs Rajiv Gauba reviewed e-Prisons Projects being implemented in the country in a video conference and it came to fore that Odisha has taken up modernisation and digitisation of its entire prison management system in an organised manner.
Home Secretary Asit Tripathy, who is heading prison administration pointed out that the State is going ahead with e-Prisons Project. Odisha is among the few States, which has already covered data of over 5,000 inmates under the system and is moving ahead with an action plan.
ADG Prisons Binayanand Jha has chalked out an action plan for e-Prisons and moving ahead on fast track basis.
While Government of India will be releasing funds in three phases, the State Government will also be sharing its part in time, said sources. e-Prisons is a three-year programme with 60:40 funded project for which both Centre and State have joined hands.
Government of India will be funding Rs 100 crore for e-Prisons Prison Management Project (PMS) in the country for 100 per cent digitisation of prisoners’ data during a three-year time frame.
While MHA has sanctioned Rs 1.60 crore, State Government will provide a matching share of Rs 1.06 crore totaling Rs 2.66 crore during 2018-19.
Prior to release of funds by Government of India, the Prisons Directorate of Odisha with NIC State unit support has already implemented e-Prisons Project in Cuttack Circle Jail and Jharpada Special Jail, Bhubaneswar on a pilot basis.
After receiving funds, procurement of hardware, lAN connectivity will be done in coordination with NIC State unit on a priority basis.
And according to action plan out of the 86 functional jails, Odisha has started e-Prisons in 82 jails and only four others were facing last mile connectivity issues, said IG Prisons Manoranjan Patnaik.
Patnaik, who is regularly attending the training programs for e-Prisons at national level said in the meantime officials of the prisons have been, imparted training on various modules of e-Prisons PMS. NIC is proactively extending support for e-Prisons in Odisha, pointed out Patnaik.
