Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary on Tuesday announced that the state govt would construct 44 B-type (four-storey) residential buildings across 21 jails in the state. Each building would cost Rs2.02 crore, bringing the cost of the project to Rs88.90 crore.The construction work is scheduled to begin in the current financial year (2025-26) and will continue in the coming years. As per the Bihar Jail Manual, 2012, senior prison officials from the rank of chief warden and above are entitled to rent-free accommodation inside jail premises.The rules stipulate that 10% of the wardens will be provided family accommodation, while the remaining wardens will get single-unit housing. With 5,034 sanctioned posts of wardens currently in the state, the govt has prepared this housing plan, keeping in view both present and future requirements of the prison department.The 44 buildings will be built in 21 jails across the state, including two buildings each in Muzaffarpur, Ara, Bhabua, Siwan, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Katihar, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Begusarai, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Aurangabad and Nawada, three in Purnia, four in Motihari and one in Bettiah.Speaking on the initiative, the Deputy CM, who also holds the portfolio of home department, said the govt is continuously working to strengthen law and order by developing modern infrastructure. He recalled that the govt has recently sanctioned the construction of police station buildings and basic infrastructure in East Champaran, Araria, Saran, Begusarai and Kishanganj at a cost of Rs46.34 crore.He said once these residential buildings for jail staff are completed, prison personnel will get better living facilities and a more conducive work environment, which will help improve the overall functioning of the prison system in the state.
