Overcrowding in jails to be solved; announces Rs 47 crore for renovation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced a new package in the budget for the renovation of prisons. The minister also said that new prisons need to be built to resolve the overcrowding in the state's prisons. The minister announced that Rs 47 crore has been allocated in the budget for the renovation of prisons.

The finance minister said the government is planning projects that prioritize the welfare and safety of prison inmates. The minister also informed that basic facilities including surveillance systems with state-of-the-art technology will be provided as part of strengthening the security systems in prisons.

Vital announcements

• Assured pension for government employees
• 200.94 crores for backward class development, 3 crores for self-employment of widows of backward classes, 94.69 crores for the welfare of minorities, 4 crores for foreign scholarship scheme for minorities
• 200 crores for Ayyankali employment guarantee scheme, 950.89 crores for workers' welfare schemes
• Health insurance for families not included in Karunya scheme
• 1128 crores for general education, additional 266. 66 crores for mid-day meal scheme
• 3820 crores for women's safety pension
• As part of Wayanad rehabilitation, the first batch of houses will be handed over in the next third week