Karnataka restricts supply of food, clothing, bedding from private sources to prisoners
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued fresh regulations restricting the supply of food, clothing and bedding to civil prisoners and unconvicted criminal (under trial) prisoners from private sources, citing prison security, safety, staff shortage, overcrowding and health concerns.
According to a circular issued by the Prisons and Correctional Services Department on January 23, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 30 of the Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963, cooked food will no longer be allowed to be brought into or supplied inside any prison from private sources to any civil and undertrial prisoners, either at the time of admission or during interviews.
Taking to social media 'X', DGP Prisons Alok Kumar said for the first time regulations framed regarding providing food, bedding and clothes to undertrial and civil prisoners.
"We are not allowing any cooked food from outside. Bangalore prison food is certified by FSSAI and is of good quality. Need to treat all UT prisoners equally," he added.
The regulations applicable to all prisons across the State shall come into effect immediately, the circular said.
While noting that adequate food, clothing and bedding are already being provided by the Prisons and Correctional Services Department as per existing laws and manuals, the circular said it has become necessary to regulate and restrict private supplies in the interest of security and administrative feasibility.
As per the new norms, only limited uncooked and packaged food items will be permitted from private sources, subject to thorough examination by prison authorities.
These include fresh fruits such as bananas, apples, mangoes and guava not exceeding two kilograms per person per week, dry fruits like almonds, cashews, walnuts and dried grapes up to half a kilogram, and bakery or confectionery items such as biscuits, cookies, namkeens and chips limited to half a kilogram.
No other food items will be allowed and the quantity of clothing that can be brought from private sources has also been restricted.
"Civil and undertrial prisoners will be allowed only two pairs of outer clothing and two pairs of inner garments, apart from the clothes worn at the time of admission. Any clothing found in excess of the prescribed quantity will be seized and confiscated," the circular said.
The circular clarified that since bedding is already provided by the Prison Department, no bedding from private sources will ordinarily be permitted. However, one additional blanket may be allowed on request, subject to security checks and availability of space. No other bedding items will be permitted.
All permitted items will be allowed subject to physical examination and security checks, and any prohibited or suspicious articles detected will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The circular said that these regulations shall be strictly enforced by all prison authorities.
"These regulations shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent contained in any earlier circulars, instructions or orders relating to the receipt of food, clothing or bedding from private sources," it added.
For the first time regulations framed regarding providing food,bedding & clothes to the Under Trial & Civil prisoners. We are not allowing any cooked food from outside. Bangalore prison food is certified by FSSAI and is of good quality.
— alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) January 24, 2026
Need to treat all UT prisoners equally pic.twitter.com/Cl7fvQrimr
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Housing drive aims to bring slum dwellers to mainstream: CM Siddaramaiah
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Hubballi(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his government is distributing houses on a large scale to ensure that slum dwellers are brought into the mainstream.
The CM was speaking at a mega event organised for dedication of 42,345 houses out of 1,80,253 houses being constructed across the State under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 'Shelter for All' through grant-in-aid of Chief Minister, and distribution of house allotment letters or title deeds on the occasion of golden jubilee celebration of the Slum Development Board.
Recalling his earlier tenure, he said, "When I was the Chief Minister for the first time (2013-18), our Congress government had built 14,58,000 houses and created history and we had brought about a housing revolution. After becoming the CM for the second time (in 2023), after distributing 36,789 houses in the first phase in 2024, our government is distributing 45,000 houses in the second phase."
"We have fulfilled our promises," he said, hitting out at the BJP and the Centre.
Claiming that his government provides Rs 4 to 5 lakh for a house, but the central government contributes less than Rs one lakh, the CM said, "But the name of the scheme is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The money is ours, the state government's. Only the name is the Centre's."
After the Congress government came to power, it has spent Rs 5,500 crore on housing in two years, he added.
Dismissing BJP's claims that the government's coffers are empty, the CM said, "We are giving Rs 2,500 crore as subsidy every year for farmers' pump sets. In addition, we are releasing a lot of money for social security schemes including widow's pension, old age pension."
Earlier in the day, installing a cutout of political leaders for the event, a cutout accidentally fell, and three people were injured, and they are receiving treatment at the Hospital in the city.
The CM visited the injured at the hospital after the event.
Expressing regret over the incident, Siddaramaiah directed the officials to provide the injured with the best possible treatment and medicines free of cost until they recover completely, his office said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the BJP held a protest in the city, accusing the government of "violating the protocol" and neglecting the opposition party leaders from the government event.
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