CIC red flags illicit tobacco business in Tihar Jail

New Delhi: The alleged illicit tobacco trading within the precincts of Tihar prison surfaced before the Central Information Commission, which directed the jail authorities to inquire and submit a report before it within three months.

The directives came during a hearing on the plea of an inmate who had alleged that unauthorised sale of tobacco was

happening within Tihar campus, and officials are either hand in gloves or do not pay attention to this illicit practice.

Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said the appellant alleged that there was a network to smuggle tobacco

and other abused substances like drugs. "Whenever the undertrial prisoners are taken to courts of law for trials on given dates, the prisoners receive tobacco which they wrap up in polythene cover and swallow.

After reaching the prison they collect and sell at higher prices to inmates," he noted. Acharyulu directed the authorities to inquire into tobacco business within the prison and file a report about the same within three months.

In another related issue, Acharyulu highlighted discrepancies in the wages paid to the inmates as the appellant OP Gandhi alleged that he was not being paid for the duration he worked in the medical department as there was no

register maintained for the work done.

"The right of prisoner for wages cannot be disputed. For skilled work rendered by appellant, he is getting only Rs 70per day, from which 25 per cent was being deducted for the victim welfare fund," he said.

"It is surprising to note that wage fixed for skilled worker in Bihar prison is Rs 121 per day but in Tihar Jail it

is only Rs 70. The deduction in Bihar is 60 per cent while in Tihar it is 25 per cent.

"Refusing to pay that amount even on the ground that medical officer was not authorised to maintain attendance

register for the prisoner's work is totally unreasonable and unjustified," he said.

The Commission directed the authorities to release the payment due to Gandhi.