Home Minister Nayini Narsimha Reddy on Friday inaugurated a filling station of the Indian Oil Corporation near the Chanchalguda Central Prison, staffed by 25 women released from prison after serving their term for offences like murder and sale of arrack.
Describing the model as a first in India, he said it is part of the State’s plan to have at least 100 of them in the coming years — on State highways and other roads.
The rehabilitation programme of those released from prison with good conduct, as also on completion of their term is an important one, he said. As of now, there are 10 such stations dispensing petrol and diesel that generate a net profit of about ₹10 crore in all, Mr. Reddy said, adding that these women would get a monthly salary of ₹12,000.
Director-General of Prisons V.K. Singh said the programme involves the rehabilitation of at least 3,000 such people. “We are now scouting for locations so that in the shortage possible time, all the 100 filling stations can be opened. We need to give such reformed persons a life of dignity so that they do not become prisoners again,” he said, adding that the first such station came up four years ago.
Inspector-General of Prisons In-charge (Hyderabad), A. Narasimha said that as of now there are five such filling stations in Hyderabad - two each near Chanchalguda and Cherlapalli and one in Uppal.
