Convicts to run petrol bunk in Vizag

 By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, July 17: After the successful running of petrol bunks by convicts of Kadapa, Rajahmundry, Chanchalguda and Warangal central prisons, a similar proposal to run a petrol bunk has been mooted by the local central jail authorities in Adavivaram.

The central prison authorities have identified around 2 acres of land, currently used as a parking ground for heavy vehicles by GVMC in Adavivaram. The petrol pump besides providing employments to around 20 to 30  convicted persons, it also contributes
handsome amount every month for the prison welfare fund.

It is estimated that the each bunk run by the convicts in various parts of the state
contributes at least Rs 1 to 2 lakhs to the prisoner’s welfare fund which is used
for the welfare of the jail in mates. The petrol bunks are run by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Prisoners generally who show good conduct in the jail will be selected to work at the
petrol bunk in three shifts. The bunk will be open to public from 5 am to 12 midnight and the prison authorities will carry out surveillance to ensure the convicts do not run away.

“Now that many are using Hanumanthawaka- Adavivaram route to go to Sihachalam, Pendurthy and many other places we expect very good business as there is not even a single petrol bunk in this stretch. We have already started the process and expecting that everything  will fall in line and a petrol bunk run by the Vizag jail prisoners will be reality in an year’s time,” Central Prison, superintendent, Dr Indla Srinivasa Raao told this correspondent.

There are around 900 prisoners at Vizag central jail and of them half are convicted,
remaining undergoing various remand who has short stays. The convicted inmates numbering an approximate 430 are engaged in various works including gardening and vegetable farming in semi open jail.

Around 53 are engaged in manufacturing steel and iron furniture. Money earned would be deposited in prison development fund to be used to rehabilitate jailed inmates.
Around 100 prisoners are also engaged in cashew nut peeling activity which fetches them a decent daily wage.

The central prison also has a printing press where material required for the prison
office and other some government offices is printed. Books and some petty stationary
items are also made by the prisoners.