Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today handed over appointment letters to 12 newly recruited prison officials at a formal ceremony held at his office at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. He was accompanied by MLA Atam Nagar Ludhiana, Sh. Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Sh. Arun Pal Singh, ADGP Prisons.
The newly appointed recruits include 5 JBT Teachers, who will be instrumental in providing education to both the prisoners and their children, thereby contributing towards their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Besides this, 3 Clerks, 1 Warder and 3 Group-D officials were also appointed.
S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that these recruitments are part of the ongoing initiative of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government. He said that the Mann government is making historic regular recruitment in the jail department. S. Bhullar informed that these teachers will play a crucial role in educating prisoners and their children and facilitating prisoners' reintegration into mainstream society.
He said that the Mann government is modernizing jail infrastructure and improving services for prisoners, including educational, vocational and welfare programs. While congratulating the newly-inducted employees, the Jails Minister exhorted them to work with great zeal, enthusiasm and dedication.
Notably, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar had handed over the appointment letters to 15 JBT teachers in January this year, marking the first-ever regular recruitment for these positions in the jail department. "Previously, these teaching positions were filled through temporary arrangements," said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's led government has made regular recruitment for the first time in the last three decades.
Providing updates on ongoing recruitment initiatives in the Jail department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that out of the recently completed recruitment drive, 738 warders and 25 matrons have already joined their duties. Besides this, the recruitment process for 179 posts of guarding staff, including 175 warders and 4 matrons, is near completion.
Highlighting the Mann government's commitment to strengthening the department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar announced that 1,220 posts across various cadres in the jail department are being revived, with the recruitment process set to begin soon. Speaking about educational initiatives, the Cabinet Minister informed that approximately 2,200 prisoners are currently enrolled in various educational courses under the department's Sikhya Daat Project, while 513 prisoners are undergoing skill development training, including courses for electricians, plumbers and tailoring, conducted by the Punjab Skill Development Mission.
Reflecting on the Punjab Government's achievements under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann leadership, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar noted that the state has successfully provided around 55,000 regular government jobs so far. This initiative aligns with the Chief Minister's vision to curb brain drain and transform youth into job creators rather than job seekers, he added.