Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, handed over appointment letters to 15 JBT teachers, marking the first-ever regular recruitment for these positions in the jail department.
During the appointment letters distribution ceremony here at at Punjab Bhawan, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that these teachers will play a crucial role in educating prisoners and their children and facilitating prisoner's reintegration into mainstream society.
"Previously, these teaching positions were filled through temporary arrangements", said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has made regular recruitment for the first time in last three dacades.
He said that priority has been given to posting newly-appointed teachers near their home districts so that they can perform their duties easily. The Jails Minister, while providing updates on ongoing recruitment initiatives in the Jail department, 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 currently underway. Highlighting the Mann government's commitment to strengthening the department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar announced that 1220 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 2200 prisoners are currently enrolled in various educational courses under the department's Sikhya Daat Project while 513 prisoners are set to undergo skill development training in January 2025, 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's leadership, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar noted that the state has successfully provided around 50,000 regular government jobs in just 33 months.
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. The Cabinet Minister said that the government has also facilitated private sector employment for 2,65,430 candidates of the state.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included ADGP Jails Mr. Arun Pal Singh, IG Jails Mr. Roop Kumar Arora, AIG Jails Mr. Rajiv Arora.