Special remission will be given to certain categories of prisoners and will be released in three phases to commemorate the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
"The remission scheme is intended to ensure prison discipline and good conduct on the part of prisoners and to encourage learning and better work culture with the prospect of early release from prison as an incentive," according to officials in the knowledge of the matter.
Women convicts who have completed 50 per cent of their total sentence period and are above 50 years of age will be eligible.
"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. Cases, where the concurrence of the central government is required as per law, will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Foreign national convicts will be released with the concurrence of the Ministry of External Affairs," one government official said.
The MHA will issue an advisory 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, it said.
According to officials, "Release of prisoners who have consistently maintained good conduct will help in their reintegration into society and would also provide relief to the family of such prisoners.”
