Karnataka raises wages of convicts in jails by up to 200%

In a step towards ushering reforms in prison administration, the government has hiked salaries of convicts in prisons across the state. The salary hikes range between 165% and 200%.

Seeking to reform prison administration, the government had set up theKarnatakaPrisons Development Board a few months ago. After the first-ever meeting of the six-member board in July, Home minister Araga Jnanendra submitted a proposal to the finance department, seeking a hike in salaries of convicted inmates.

The idea was to bring salaries on par with minimum wage rules issued by the government. The proposal required an additional outlay of Rs 7 crore.