Chandigarh, 6 January 2026:The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, accompanied by the Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Shri H. Rajesh Prasad and other officials of the Chandigarh Administration today visited Burail Jail to review various facilities, welfare measures, skill development initiatives, and healthcare services being provided to inmates.

During the visit, the Honorable Administrator reviewed the jail kitchen and its menu, inspected the variety of dishes being prepared, and personally tasted the food to assess its quality and nutritional standards. He also examined the modern kitchen equipment installed for hygienic and efficient food preparation, interacted with the kitchen staff, and shared useful cooking tips.

In the Sweets Section, the Honorable Administrator reviewed the preparation of sweets by prisoners, checked quality standards, and was briefed by the officials present on-site about the cold storage facilities available. He was also informed about the daily wages being paid to prisoners engaged in such work.

At the Jeevan Dhara Industrial Training Institute (ITI) functioning within Burail Jail, the Honorable Administrator reviewed the ongoing ITI courses in which prisoners, having passed Class 10, are enrolled for formal vocational training. He interacted with instructors and prisoner-students, reviewed their academic progress, and encouraged inmates with prior experience to further enhance their skills. He advised officials to explore tie-ups with various institutions of the Chandigarh Administration to provide repair and maintenance work, thereby enabling productive engagement and skill utilization. The ITI currently offers courses in Woodwork Technician and Sewing Technology.

In the Women Jail, the Honorable Administrator reviewed the kitchen facilities and menu. He also reviewed the library-cum-reading room and ITI-related activities available to women inmates. During intraction with women prisoners, the Honorable Administrator patiently listened to appeals from women prisoners in his capacity as a public servant and expressed concern for undertrial prisoners who lack family or social support for pursuing bail.

The Honorable Administrator also inspected the jail dispensary, where doctors briefed him about the medical facilities, pharmacy management, patient record maintenance, and referral procedures to specialized departments of hospitals under the Chandigarh Administration. He was informed that doctors visit the jail regularly for routine medical care and that inmates requiring specialized treatment are referred to as per medical advice.

Reviewing cultural and rehabilitative initiatives, the Honorable Administrator interacted with the music instructor, who shared that several undertrial prisoners are showing interest in music activities. The Honorable Administrator emphasized the importance of extending similar opportunities to women prisoners as well. He also reviewed the Centralized Radio Station and Public Address System, through which Om chants are played across the jail premises throughout the day.

Emphasizing the principles of justice and rehabilitation, the Honorable Administrator advised officials to give focused attention to undertrial prisoners lodged for extended periods and to provide appropriate facilitation wherever required to support timely legal processes. He also stressed the importance of road repairs within the jail complex to further strengthen infrastructure and safety.