Assistance for kin of murder victims doubled in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: The state administration has doubled the compensation provided under the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Fund Rules, 2009, citing prevailing economic conditions and rehabilitation needs.

What happened

Announcing the measures in the Assembly on Friday, Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar remarked a new 500-inmate district jail would be established in Tiruvallur at a cost of Rs 48.76 crore to decongest Puzhal Central Prison. While an ITI would be established inside Chennai Central Prison-I at Rs 8 crore for vocational training of inmates, a 50-bed Integrated Mental Health Care Centre would be set up at Vellore Central Prison at Rs 3.63 crore.

In practice, the administration would deploy 18 further doctors and 29 nurses throughout prisons and appoint part-time psychologists in 13 district jails. Uniform allowances for prison personnel are to be raised on a par with the police personnel. Other measures include 400 AI-based CCTV cameras, de-addiction centres in seven district jails, and prison kitchen modernisation at `21 crore. Canteen purchase limits for prisoners would be doubled. "The timely disbursal of fund is key. After a decade, the hike in the number of courts is a welcome move, " remarked Advocate K R Raja.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around assistance for kin of murder victims doubled in Tamil Nadu point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.