SELECTED PRISONERS WILL BE RELEASED UNDER SPECIAL REMISSION ON 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

(The Quiver) The central government has decided to give a special remission to certain categories of prisoners and release them in three phases — on August 15, 2022, (75th anniversary of Independence), January 26, 2023, (Republic Day) and August 15, 2023, to commemorate the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

The categories of prisoners, who have consistently maintained good conduct during their term in prison, will be eligible for the special remission.However Persons involved in some serious crimes, however, will not be eligible for special remission.

Who are eligible for the special remission?Women convicts of 50 years of age and above who have completed 50 per cent of their total sentence period.

Transgender convicts of 50 years of age and above who have completed 50 per cent of their total sentence period (without counting the period of general remission earned).

Male convicts of 60 years of age and above who have completed 50 per cent of their total sentence period (without counting the period of general remission earned).

Physically challenged/disabled convicts with 70 per cent disability and more (duly certified by a medical board) who have completed 50 per cent of their total sentence period (without counting the period of general remission earned).

Terminally ill convicts (duly certified by a medical board).

Convicted prisoners who have completed two-third (66 per cent) of their total sentence period (without counting the period of general remission earned).

Poor or indigent prisoners who have completed their sentence but are still in jail due to non-payment of fine imposed on them by waiving off the fine.

Persons who committed an offence at a young age i.e. between 18 and 21 years and with no other criminal involvement/case against them, who have completed 50 per cent of their sentence period (without counting the period of general remission earned).

According to information given by one government official, “The state governments/UT administrations will be advised to constitute a State Level Screening Committee, who will scrutinise all cases keeping in view the prescribed conditions and make its recommendations to the State Government, who will place the recommendations before the Governor for consideration and approval. Those cases will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Foreign national convicts will be released with the concurrence of the Ministry of External Affairs.”

An advisory will be released to all states and UTs asking them to process the cases of eligible prisoners as per the guidelines and timelines and will be advised to release the prisoners after obtaining the necessary approval of the competent authority.