PANAJI
The Goa government must set out firm deadlines for clearing the design, cost and regulatory requirements for the proposed Open Correctional Institution (OCI), the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed on Wednesday, pressing the State to move the project towards implementation.
Hearing a suo motu petition registered on the directions of the Supreme Court, the High Court noted that the architectural blueprint for the facility had taken shape and appeared exceptionally cost-effective compared with the larger, capital-intensive open prison infrastructure in other States.
The government submitted to the Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar that the architect’s plans and cost estimates were submitted to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Prisons Department for examination and finalisation of the project cost.
The court directed the Government Advocate to address the issues raised during the hearing and place specific timelines on record for finalising the architectural plans and securing financial approvals.
The government is also asked to provide a schedule for amending the existing prison rules to incorporate the statutory provisions necessary to establish and administer open correctional institutions.
The legal framework for the proposed facility is being considered along with a broader national exercise. “A high-powered committee constituted under the Supreme Court’s framework had been tasked with recommending uniform measures for open correctional institutions across States within six months,” the government stated.
The High Court agreed that Goa’s proposed amendments to its prison rules would be considered in light of the committee’s forthcoming recommendations, and adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 4.
