From correspondents in Punjab, India, 01:00 PM IST

In a one of its kind initiative, the authorities of Burail Jail here have constituted a special committee of prisoners to look into the functioning of the jail kitchen.

Officials of Burail Jail, where over 500 criminals have been lodged, have formed a seven-member committee to look after every aspect of the kitchen like food budget, preparation and menu.

'They will ensure that nutritious and delicious food is made under hygienic conditions,' Additional Inspector General (prisons) Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa told IANS here Tuesday.

'This programme aims to inculcate qualities of teamwork and leadership among the prisoners lodged here. There are so many things in which we have already engaged the prisoners of Burail Jail, but it is for the first time that they would supervise the functioning of any department.'

'We got this idea from one of our frequent visitors from Dubai who comes here at regular intervals. He had seen the prisoners doing the same thing in Dubai jail and advised us to adopt the practice here,' Randhawa said.

'The members of the committee would change after every two months so that every inmate of the prison gets an equal and fair chance to take part in the decision making process. Disputes related to food prepared are rampant in the jail and we believe that this step would certainly curb them.'

A highly placed source in the Burail Jail told IANS that jail authorities have also included a doctor in this special committee to check the quality of ingredients used in the food preparation.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)