LexThe Karnataka Prison Development Board Act, 2021.
Karnataka · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this actKARNATAKA ACT NO. 34 OF 2021
THE KARNATAKA PRISON DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 2021
Sections:
1. Short title and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Constitution and composition of the Board
4. Inviting experts to the meetings of the Board
5. Meetings of the Board
6. Vacancy etc. not to invalidate the acts and proceedings of the Board
7. Appointment of staff
8. The Commissioner
9. Functions of the Board
10. Prison development fund
11. Power of the Board to borrow
12. Grants, advances and loans from Government
13. Delegation of Powers
14. Budget and Annual Report
15. Accounts and Audit
16. Vesting of Prison lands and building in the Board
17. Acquisition of Land
18. Disposal of land, buildings etc., by the Board
19. Power to make rules
20. Certain persons to be public Servants
21. Protection of action taken under this Act
22. General administrative control by the Government
23. Overriding effects
24. Winding of the Karnataka Discharged Prisoners Aid Society or any other
society
25. Power to amend the Schedule
26. Power of the Government to give directions
27. Power to remove difficulty
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
ACT 34 OF 2021.- It is considered necessary to provide for,-
(1) the constitution of the 'Karnataka Prison Development Board' for
strengthening of Prisons and Correctional administration particularly
Correctional interventions, skill improvement, welfare of Prisoners and
Prison Staff and expanding Prison industries.
(2) development of modern Prison industries and to formulate plan for job
oriented technical programmes including technical oriented programmes in
different traders or areas, to earn the incentives and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto;
(3) suggesting ways and means for improving co-ordination between
administration and justice, police administration, probation, after care and
prison administration;
(4) examination of the present set up of prison industries and formulate a plan
for modernization and to st art job oriented programmes including technical
oriented programmes, keeping in view the needs of prisoners after their
release; and
(5) Matters connected there with or incidental thereto.
Hence the Bill.
[L.A. Bill No. 27 of 2021, File No. Samvyashae 18 Shasana 2021]
[Entry 4 and 32 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.]
[Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra -ordinary No. 817 in part -IVA dated:
07.10.2021]
KARNATAKA ACT NO. 34 OF 2021
(First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 7th day of
October, 2021)
THE KARNATAKA PRISON DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 2021
(Received the assent of the Governor on the 5th day of October, 2021)
An Act to provide for the constitution of the 'Karnataka Prison Development
Board' for strengthening of Prisons and Correctional administration particularly
Correctional interventions, welfare of Prisoners and Prisons Staff and expanding
Prison industries, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Whereas, it is expedient to provide for the establishment the Karnataka
Prison Development Board to examine the living conditions of prisoners and to
contemplate the appropriate correctional programs wh ich can enable the prisoners
to re-assimilate in the society, to develop the Prison industries and formulate plan
for modernization of Prisons and job oriented programmes including technical
programs in different areas and trades to earn the incentives an d for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the seventy second year
of the Republic of India, as follows:-
CHAPTER-I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement. -(1) This Act may be called the
Karnataka Prison Development Board Act, 2021.
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by
notification, appoint.
2. Definitions.-In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) “Board” means the Karnataka Prison Development Board
constituted under section 3;
(b) “Building” includes a house, dormitory, barrack, cell, latrine,
godown, factory shed, hut, wall or any other structure whether of
masonry, bricks, mud, wood, metal, cement, concrete or any other
material whatsoever;
(c) “Chairperson” means the chairperson of the Board;
(d) "Commissioner" means commissioner of the Board;
(e) “competent Authority” means any officer appointed as such by the
Government having jurisdiction and with due le gal authority to
deal with a particular matter;
(f) “Fund” means Prison Development fund of the Board;
(g) “Government” means the Government of Karnataka;
(h) “Land” includes rights in or over land and benefits to arise out of
land, and buildings, structures and o ther things attached to the
earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to earth;
(i) ‘Member’ means member of the Board;
(j) 'Member Secretary' means member secretary of the Board;
(k) “Notification” means a notification published in the official Gazette
of Government of Karnataka and the word “notified” shall be
construed accordingly;
(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules by the Government;
(m) “Prison” means any prison or jail or place by whatever name
called, including all lands and buildings, appurtenant thereto,
used permanently or temporarily under the general or special
order of the State Government for the detention of prisoners and
includes all Central Prison or District Prison or Taluka Prison or
Revenue Prison or Open Prison or Women Prison or any other
Prison so notified by the Government from time to time;
(n) "Schedule" means schedule appended to this Act.
(o) "Vice-Chairperson" means Vice-Chairperson of the Board.
CHAPTER – II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD
3. Constitution and composition of the Board. - (1) As soon as may be,
after the commencement of this Act, the Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette establish a Board to be cal led the Karnataka Prison Development
Board.
(2) The Board constituted under sub section(1) shall be a body corporate by
the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power,
subject to the provisions of this Act to acquire, hold an d dispose of property, both
movable and immovable, and to contract and shall by the said name sue and be
sued.
(3) The Board shall have its Head Quarters at Bengaluru.
(4) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) Minister in-charge of Prison Chairperson
(b) The Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department Vice Chairperson
(c) The Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department or his
representative not below the rank of Deputy Secretary
Ex-officio Member
(d) Director General and Inspector General of Police Ex-officio Member
(e) The Principal Secretary or Secretary to Government, Home
Department (P C A S)
Ex-officio Member
(f) The Commissioner, Industries and Commerce Department Ex-officio Member
(g) The Health Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare
Services Department.
Ex-officio Member
(h) The Director, Skill Mission, Skill Development Ex-officio Member
(i) The Director, Department of Agriculture Ex-officio Member
(j) The Director, Department of Horticulture Ex-officio Member
(k) The Director, Department Animal Husbandry and
Veterinary service
Ex-officio Member
(l) The Director General, Prisons and Correctional Services Member- Secretary
4. Inviting experts to the meetings of the Board: The Board may, from
time to time, invite experts in the fields of Prison Administration, Medicine,
Architecture, Engineering, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, psychiatry,
Industrial Management and any other relevant field to be special invitees to the
meetings of the Board as it may consider necessary for the efficient performance of
its functions on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.
5. Meetings of the Board:-
(1) The meetings of the Board shall be convened by the MemberSecretary
with the approval of the Chairperson.
(2) The Board shall ordinarily meet at such time and place as the
Chairperson may decide, provided that at -least once in every three
months;
(3) The Chairperson may authorize the Vice -Chairperson to preside over
the meeting of Board in absence;
(4) The procedure in regard to transaction of business at the meetings
including the Quorum shall be such as may be prescribed;
6. Vacancy etc. not to invalidate the acts and proceedings of the
Board.-No act or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid on the ground merely of
the existence of the any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of Board or any
defect in the appointment of a person acting as the Chairperson or the Vice-
Chairperson or Member;
7. Appointment of staff. -The Board may appoint such officers and
employees as may be required to enable the Board to carry -out its functions under
this Act, in such a manner subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
provided no post shall be created without prior approval of the Board.
8. The Commissioner.-(1) The Government shall appoint Director General of
Prison as the commissioner of the Board. The commissioner shall be the Chief
Controlling Authority of the Board in all matters connected with the administration
of this Act.
(2) The commissioner shall receive such salary and allowances as
Government may from time to time determine.
9. Functions of the Board. -(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, the
functions of the Board shall be,-
(a) to examine the living conditions of the prisoners in the prisons and
ways to improve the same;
(b) to suggest ways and means for improving co -ordination between the
Criminal Justice Agencies like police, courts and prison;
(c) to frame a policy for marketing of prison products; to give preference
to prison products, while purchasing articles for the office use, by the
various Government Departments or Organizations;
(d) to plan, implement, evaluate and co -ordinate various skill
development programs, vocational training programs, welfare
programs and other programs of the Central, State Government and
other Organizations;
(e) to prepare policy to be laid down and to organize Prison industries on
business cum commercial basis; to identify and ensure new means of
revenue generations;
(f) to improve the skills and competency of the Prison Officers and
employees and that of the Board as well as to ensure the welfare of
the Officers and employees of the Department of Prison and
Correctional Services and Board;
(g) to provide an enabling environment to the prisoners and help them in
such a way so that they may be able to lead a sustainable and
productive life as law-abiding citizens after their release;
(h) to upgrade the resources for efficient man agement of Prisons, and
wherever required, by way of acquisition of assets, whether movable
or immovable, including computers, communication facilities,
gadgets, vehicles, security or surveillance equipment, video -
conferencing based trial facilities etc;
(i) to reform and re -assimilate prisoners in the social milieu by giving
them appropriate correctional treatment; and
(j) to undertake programmes and scheme for betterment of prisoners,
including but not limited to, education, vocational or skill training
manufacturing activities, agriculture, poultry, dairy or fish farming,
horticulture and such other occupational, commercial, industrial,
sports and welfare activities which help in development of prisons;
(2) For the efficient discharge of the duties entrusted to it, the Board shall
exercise such powers and perform such functions as are conferred, or imposed
under this Act or the ruled made there under.
CHAPTER – III
FINANCE OF THE BOARD’S, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
10. Prison development fund. -(1) The Board shall hav e and maintain its
own fund in the name and Style of ‘Prisons Development Fund’ to which shall be
credited;-
(a) all moneys received by the Board from the Central and State
Governments, by way of grants, loans, advances or otherwise;
(b) all moneys borrowed by the Board by way of loans or debentures;
(c) all moneys generated by the agricultural, horticultural, industrial or
manufacturing activities undertaken by the prisoners in Prisons;
(d) all fees, charges, bank interests, deposits and profits received by the
Board from any leasing or commercial activities carried out;
(e) all moneys received by the Board after disposal of lands, buildings, and
other properties. (movable or immovable);
(f) all moneys received by the Board by way of donations from approved
Non Government Orga nizations, Registered Charitable Institutions or
bodies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from the
companies;
(g) all money received by the Board by way of profits by running of
Canteens or Provision Stores or any other commercial business
activities in the Prison and Prison premises or any other means.
(h) all money received by the Board from Karnataka discharged Prisoners
Aid Society: and,
(i) all moneys received by the board by way of rent or any other source;
(2) The Fund shall be applied towards meeting the expenses incurred by the
Board in the administration of this Act, and for such other purpose, as
may be prescribed.
(3) The Board may keep such sum of money out of its funds in deposit in any
of the nationalized banks, and any money in excess of said sum shall be
invested in such manner as may be prescribed.
11. Power of the Board to borrow. -The Board may, from time to time,
subject to such conditions as may be prescribed borrow any sum required for the
purposes of this Act.
12. Grants, advances and loans from Government.-The Government may,
make such grants, advances and loans to the Board as the Government may deem
necessary for the performance of the functions of the Board under this Act, and all
grants, loans or advances made shall be on such t erms and conditions as the
Government may determine.
13. Delegation of Powers.-The Board may by resolution delegate any of the
powers conferred on it by or under this Act to the Commissioner.
14. Budget and Annual Report. -(1)The Board shall prepare Budge t every
year in such manner and in such form as may be prescribed, its annual report
giving a true and fare account of its activities during the previous year and submit
the said report to the Government.
(2) The Board shall furnish to the Government such returns or other
information with respect to its activities as the Government may, from time to time,
require.
15. Accounts and Audit.-(1) The Board shall maintain proper accounts and
other relevant records, and prepare an Annual Statement of accounts in s uch form
as may be prescribed.
(2) The financial year of the Board shall be same as the financial year followed
by the State Government.
(3) The accounts of the Board shall be subject to the annual audit by the
Accountant General Office, after the close of each financial year and any
expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the
Board.
(4) Audit report along with compliance thereupon shall be forwarded annually
to the Government,Which shall be laid before each house of the St ate
Legislative.
CHAPTER – IV
ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE AND DISPOSAL OF LANDS AND BUILDINGS
16. Vesting of Prison lands and building in the Board. -On and from the
date of commencement of this Act, all land and building appurtenant thereto in the
charge or possession or use of the Prisons and Correctional Service Department of
the Government of Karnataka other than specified in the schedule shall vest in the
Board and be subject to its control.
17. Acquisition of Land. -(1) If, in the opinion of the Board, any land is
required to be acquired for any activities of the Board, the Board may request the
Government or competent authority to acquire such land under the provisions of
the Right to fair compensation and Transpare ncy in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Central Act No.30 of 2013).
(2) Where in the opinion of the Board, there is suitable land belonging to a
Government of Karnataka or a Private individual, it may acquire said land by way
of payment of market value, as fixed by the concerned Deputy Commissioner or
competent authority.
(3) The Board may, in case of disagreement with the recommendations of the
Deputy Commissioner or Competent authority under sub -sections (2), refer the
same, along with its views, to the Government, whose decision shall be final.
18. Disposal of land, buildings etc., by the Board. -(1) The Board may,
subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf retain, lease, sell, exchange or
otherwise dispose of;
(a) any land or building or property whether movable or immovable in its
possession; and
(b) any other land or building or property whether movable or immovable
consequent upon decommissioning of any Prison.
Provided that Board shall not dispose off immovable property under
clause (a) and (b) without prior approval of the Government.
(2) The consideration or proceeds obtained by disposal or otherwise of a
land or building or property under sub -section (1) shall be credited to
the “Prison Development Fund”
CHAPTER – V
MISCELLANEOUS
19. Power to make rules.-(1) The Government may, by notification and after
previous publication make rules for carrying out all, or any of the purposes of this
Act.
(2) Government shall make rules within six months of notification of this
Act.
(3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(i) regarding the terms and conditions of inviting experts, under section
4;
(ii) regarding the quorum and procedure of the meeting, under sub -
section (iv) of section 5;
(iii) regarding method of recruitment and condition of service of officers
and employees of the Board, under section 7;
(iv) regarding the purposes for which the Prison Development Fund shall
be used, under sub-section (2) of section 10;
(v) the manner of investing the excess money, under sub -section (3) of
section 10;
(vi) regarding conditions of borrowing any sum required by the Board for
the purposes of this Act, under section 11;
(vii) the manner and form of Budget, under sub-section (1) of section 14;
(viii) the form and manner of Annul Statement of accounts of the Board,
under sub-section (1) of section 15; and
(ix) to make rules, to carry out the purposes of the Act.
(4) Every rule made by the Government under this Act shall be laid as soon
as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature, while it is in
session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or
in two or more successive sessions, and it, before the expiry of the session
immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses
agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule
should not be made the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form
or be of no effect, as the case may be, so however, that any such modification or
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done
under that rule.
20. Certain persons to be public Servants.-All members, officers and
employees of the Board while acting or purporting to act in pursuance of the
provisions of this Act or any rule or regulation made there under, shall be deemed
to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code,
1860 (Central Act No.45 of 1860)and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
(Central Act 49 of 1988)
21. Protection of action taken under this Act.-No suit, prosecution or
other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good
faith done or purported to be done under this Act.
22. General administrative control by the Government.-(1) The
Government shall have general administrative control and supervision over all the
activities and affairs of the Board.
23.Overriding effects.-The Board so constituted under this Act shall have
overriding effect on any other rules or orders or instructions issued earlier relating
to functioning of Prison industries, welfare programmers for prisoners and prison
staff, and other related activities as mentioned in this Act.
24. Winding of the Karnataka Discharged Prisoners Aid Society or any
other society.-The society running in the name of 'Karnataka discharged Prisoners
Aid Society' or any other such societies running in any Prison in the S tate Shall be
wound up by the due process of law, and the activities undertaken by the said
society and all assests and liabilities of the society shall be subsumed in the Board.
25. Power to amend the Schedule.-(1) The Government may by notification
insert, amend or omit any of the entries of the schedule.
(2) Every notification issued under sub -section (1) shall be laid before both
house of the legislature.
26. Power of the Government to give directions. -The Government may
give such directions to th e Board as in its opinion are necessary or expedient for
carrying out the purpose of this Act and it shall be the duty of the Board, to
comply with such directions after bringing to the notice of the Chairman.
27. Power to remove difficulty.-(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to
the provisions of this Act, the Government may by notification, make such
provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be
necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.
Provided that, no such notification shall be issued after the expiry of two
years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) All orders made under this section, shall as soon as may be after it is
made, be laid before both houses of the State legislature.
SCHEDULE
(see sec 2(n) and Section 25)
The properties which do not vest in the Board are,-
(i) any place for the confinement of prisoners who are exclusively in
the custody of the police;
(ii) any place specially appointed by the Government under the Code
of Criminal Procedure;
The above translation of ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬಂದೀಖಾನೆ ಅಭಿವೃದ ಿ ಮಂಡಳಿ
ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2021 (2021ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯ ೆ : 34) be published in the
official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the constitution of India.
THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT
GOVERNOR OF KARANATAKA
By Order and in the name of
the Governor of Karnataka,
G.SRIDHAR
Secretary to Government
Department of Parliamentary
Affairs and Legislation