Central Government implements Punjab Police and Correctional Services Act in Chandigarh

A significant decision has been taken by the Central Government for the Union Territory of Chandigarh. According to a Business Standard report, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Friday, granting approval for the implementation of the 'Punjab Police and Correctional Services Act, 2006' in Chandigarh. This decision has been taken under Section 87 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, with the law being implemented in Chandigarh with certain modifications. The primary objective of these new rules is to streamline the process of transferring prisoners between Chandigarh and other states or Union Territories and to improve prison administration.

Under these new reforms, prisoners serving sentences in Chandigarh jails, including those serving life imprisonment, can be transferred to prisons in other states or Union Territories. However, this process will require the consent of the respective state government and an order issued by the Administrator of Chandigarh. Similarly, provisions have been made in this law to bring prisoners from jails in other states to Chandigarh jails. This rule covers all prisoners who have been sentenced to imprisonment, awarded the death penalty, failed to pay fines, or have been granted bail to maintain peace.

Special provisions have also been made in the case of undertrial prisoners. Undertrial prisoners can be sent to other states or Union Territories for the purpose of maintaining security, law and order in Chandigarh, or in the public interest. For this, along with the consent of the concerned state government, approval from the court where the case is pending will be mandatory. Furthermore, in these new amendments, strict rules have been framed regarding the operation of aerial objects in 'no-fly zones' keeping security aspects in mind. Now, any aerial object can only be operated after obtaining permission from the competent authority under civil aviation laws and prior approval from the department.