Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Apr 13: As the state Governor, H R Bharadwaj, has returned the file relating to the releasing of 294 prisoners based on their their good conduct for the second time, the government has suffered a severe loss of face.

Minister for prisons, Umesh Katti, revealed that the government has received the file back for the second time, without the Governor’s signature.  “The file was returned two weeks ago. After consulting the advocate general, Ashok Harnahalli, I will personally meet the Governor to request him to give his assent to the proposal to release these prisoners,” he said.

“The Governor has now sought clarifications like whether these prisoners had sought for their premature release. We had sent individual files to the Governor. As far as my knowledge goes, the Governor should have given his nod after the cabinet took a similar decision on the issue for the second time,” Katti opined.

The minister said that nine jails located within the city limits, including those in Mangalore, Hassan, Shimoga, Dharwad and Bijapur, will be shifted out of the cities at a cost of Rs 40 crore, for which a provision has been made in the state budget. “The space so vacated will be given to the needy government agencies,” he revealed.

The minister said that shortly, 300 private security men would be posted at the central jail located at Parappana Agrahara in the city.