For the hearing of cases related to dreaded criminals within the jail complex only, Punjab Government will construct a High-Security Digital Jail in the state over 50 acres of land.
 
Announcing this while addressing the gathering after handing over appointment letters to the newly recruited Jail Warders, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that Rs 100 crore has been approved by the Centre to set up this digital jail near Ludhiana for hearing cases pertaining to the hardcore criminals in the state within the jail complex.
 
He said that the judges will have separate cabins in the jail for special hearings of such dreaded criminals who are a major threat to the state so that they should not be moved out of jail for this purpose.
 
Mann also said that the Jail Department will soon have its ultramodern office in Mohali for which land has been identified.
 
“All out efforts are being made to modernize the police force on scientific lines. The Punjab Police is being updated to tackle cybercrime in the state and various new reforms are being introduced. High-tech jammers and other equipment are being installed in jails to check the use of mobile phones from inside the prison,” he said.
 
Likewise, the Chief Minister also announced that anti-drone technology is being introduced in the Punjab Police to check the infiltration through drones from across the border.
 
Mann said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the Punjab Police is the best force in the country. “Massive efforts are being made to transform the state’s Police stations by pumping in a number of resources,” he said, adding that infrastructure in terms of vehicles, weapons and others are also being spruced up in the department.
 
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab will be soon joining hands with multinational Google to update the state Police on modern lines. He said that a comprehensive blueprint has already been prepared in this regard and the formal agreement will be signed soon which will help in enhancing the efficiency of the Punjab Police to tackle any sort of unforeseen challenge in the state.
 
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that several initiatives are being taken for reforming the inmates in jails so that they can learn something in life. He also said that Rs 4.5 crore will be given for laying synthetic track in the campus and an ultramodern hostel will come up at Rs three crore within the campus along with Rs 25 lakh for a firing range in the complex. Mann also announced Rs 25 lakh for construction of roads on the campus.
 
The Chief Minister also said that Rs 10 crore will be spent on providing raw material for various training to inmates. He said that 351 new posts will be created in the jail department along with construction of a Special Women Jail in the state
 
Mann said that there is no dearth of funds in the state and every effort will be made to strengthen, modernize and upgrade jails in Punjab.
 
Congratulating the newly recruits, the Chief Minister expressed hope that they will discharge their duty with utmost commitment and dedication. He said that these cops deliver their duty even in hostile conditions to ensure that peace prevails in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that this duty cannot be measured in money as it is one of the most important services to the nation and its people.