Chandigarh :
Punjab Governor and Administrator of U.T. Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, visited Burail Jail to review facilities, welfare measures, skill development initiatives and healthcare services for inmates.
Accompanied by Chandigarh Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad and other senior officials, the Administrator inspected the jail kitchen, reviewed the menu and tasted the food to assess its quality and nutritional standards. He also examined modern kitchen equipment and interacted with staff, offering suggestions to improve hygiene and efficiency.
In the sweets section, Kataria reviewed preparations made by inmates, checked quality standards and was briefed about cold storage facilities and the daily wages paid to prisoners involved in production work.
The Administrator also visited the Jeevan Dhara Industrial Training Institute (ITI) operating within the jail, where eligible inmates are enrolled in formal vocational courses. Interacting with instructors and prisoner-students, he reviewed their progress and encouraged further skill development. He suggested exploring tie-ups with Chandigarh Administration institutions to provide repair and maintenance work for better skill utilisation. The ITI currently offers courses in Woodwork Technician and Sewing Technology.
During his visit to the Women Jail, Kataria reviewed kitchen facilities, the library-cum-reading room and ITI-related activities. He interacted with women inmates, heard their grievances and expressed concern for undertrial prisoners lacking family or social support to pursue bail.
He also inspected the jail dispensary, where doctors briefed him on medical facilities, pharmacy management, record maintenance and referral procedures to government hospitals. Officials informed him that regular medical services are provided and specialised treatment is arranged as required.
Reviewing rehabilitative initiatives, the Administrator interacted with the music instructor and noted increasing interest among undertrial prisoners in music activities. He emphasised extending similar opportunities to women inmates as well. He also reviewed the centralised radio station and public address system functioning within the jail.
Stressing the principles of justice and rehabilitation, Kataria directed officials to give special attention to long-pending undertrial cases and facilitate timely legal processes. He also underlined the need for road repairs within the jail complex to further strengthen infrastructure and safety.
