The Tamil Nadu government has accorded approval to the Prisons department to operate retail fuel outlets on the outer premises of Central prisons across the State.
The department has joined hands with IndianOil Corporation for operating these outlets at 11 locations. In the first phase, outlets have been opened at Puzhal in Chennai, Vellore, Pudukottai, Coimbatore and Palayamkottai Central prisons. In the next phase, the Central prisons on Ambattur Road in Chennai, Salem, Tiruchi (Airport Road and another at Gandhi Market), Madurai, Coimbatore (Bharathiar Road) will be taken up.
The first batch of prison fuel retail outlets at Vellore, Palayamkottai, Pudukottai and Coimbatore was inaugurated by Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami through video-conferencing from Chennai this morning.
The effort is aimed at providing a dignified transition from prison to societal life for prisoners.
IndianOil Corporation said in a release that the corporation would install Retail Outlet Automation facilities, ATMs and space for Prison Bazaar for selling the merchandise made by prisoners.
IndianOil will invest ₹10 crore for the five outlets proposed under Phase I and a similar sum for the remaining six outlets in Phase II of this project. The Corporation has said that it is keen to take this model across the State.