Prayagraj: UP govt apprised Allahabad High Court that it had sanctioned Rs 4.59 crore for setting up three new Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs) in the state under the open prison programme.A division bench comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi was informed about the decision by Rajendra Pensiya, special secretary, jail administration and reform department, govt of UP.The court was hearing a PIL registered earlier this year pursuant to a Supreme Court order issuing comprehensive directions to ensure the effective utilisation and expansion of OCIs across the country.The sanctioned amount will be utilised to establish the facilities at central prison, Fatehgarh for 100 prisoners, Nari Bandi Niketan, Lucknow for 50 women prisoners and district jail, Gautam Buddh Nagar for 80 prisoners.Uttar Pradesh’s compliance affidavit also disclosed that govt order No 912 dated Nov 2, 2026 had been issued and the necessary budgetary allocation has been made.Taking the affidavit on record, the court in its order dated Nov 4 observed, “It is imperative that state authorities commit to a definite time frame within which not only such facilities would be set up but identified/eligible convicts would be placed in them on application of the state policy,” the court observed.The court directed the special secretary, jail administration and reform department to file a further affidavit disclosing details including the selection of the agency, the construction required and the time frame for completing the construction and setting up the facilities. The court has fixed Nov 20 as the next date of hearing in the case.
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