UP clears policy for compensation in jail deaths

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday approved the Prisoner Death and Compensation Payment policy, providing compensation to the dependents or next of kin of prisoners who die unnatural deaths while lodged in state jails. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, state jail minister Dara Singh Chauhan said the policy provides for compensation of Rs 5 lakh in cases where a prisoner's death occurs due to a fight with another inmate, negligence in treatment, shortage of doctors, inadequate medical facilities in prisons, or lapses during treatment at a hospital.
The objective of the new policy is to safeguard the human rights of inmates, enhance transparency in prison administration, and ensure timely relief to affected families. The policy was approved in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court, and the National Human Rights Commission. At present, compensation in cases of unnatural deaths of inmates is provided based on the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In another major decision, the cabinet approved the construction of five new district jails in Moradabad, Kanpur Nagar, Auraiya, Lalitpur and Bhadohi at a total estimated cost of more than Rs1,460 crore. Officials said the move is aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons, improving facilities for inmates and modernising prison administration across the state.The government said the new prisons would provide improved facilities for inmate accommodation, security, healthcare and reformative activities.
In yet another decision, the cabinet approved  Maize Procurement Policy. under the Price Support Scheme for the Kharif Marketing Year 2025-26 (Rabi crop). The government has fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal. As per the decision, maize procurement in the state will be carried out from June 15 to July 31 this year. For this purpose, 150 procurement centres will be established across 25 districts like Firozabad, Agra, Mainpuri, Aligarh, Kasganj, Hathras, Etah, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Rampur, Sambhal, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Kanpur Nagar, Auraiya, Etawah, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Unnao, Bahraich, Ballia, Gonda, Fatehpur, and Mirzapur.