Patna: Forty-four prisoners, most of them elderly and ailing inmates, will be released from jails across Bihar on Gandhi Jayanti under a state govt remission scheme. The move comes eight years after a similar exercise in which 43 prisoners were freed to mark the occasion.The decision, taken under the leadership of CM Samrat Choudhary on the recommendation of the State Prisoner Remission Committee, aims to facilitate the rehabilitation and social reintegration of elderly and infirm prisoners.According to a Home Department notification, the beneficiaries include two inmates above 90 years of age, eight above 80 and 20 in the 70-80 age group. A seriously ill prisoner and a woman inmate lodged in Purnia Jail who has completed nearly 20 years in prison will also be released on humanitarian grounds.Separately, the state govt will provide financial assistance of around Rs 3.86 crore to 1,820 families affected by crime on Gandhi Jayanti. Officials said the aid is intended to support victims’ families and is part of the welfare measures being undertaken on Oct 2.
