...... CIVIL LIBERTIES 43 6) Action taken Reports Received from States 4.83 In the annual report for the year 2002-03, the visits of the Chief Coordinator, Custodial Justice Cell to Central Jail, Patiala, Punjab (16 and18 July 2002), Central Jail, Bhatinda, Punjab (17-18 July 2002), Central Jail, Gwalior, MP (13 Aug. 2002), and Central Jail, Coimbatore. Open Air Jail, Singanallur and Special Jail, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu (8-10 February 2003) were mentioned. 4.84 The ATRs dated 11.12.02 and 5.3.04 received from the Government of Punjab in respect of the report on the Central Jail, Patiala show that action has been initiated on the Commission’s recommendations on issues like supply of drinking water, recreational facilities for prisoners, payment of wages to prisoners working in kitchen, treatment of TB cases, appointment of Board of Visitors, holding of Jail Adalats, streamlining of the functioning of jail factory and improving the facilities for prisoners’ interviews. However, the observation regarding the classification of prisoners on the basis of socio-economic status and addition to superior mode of living has remained unattended since the matter is pending before the Supreme Court as a result of a SLP filed by the State Government against the order of Punjab High Court dated 9.5.2000 which had set aside the above mode of classification provided in the Jail Manual. 4.85 The ATRs dated 29 January 2003 and 10 July 2003 in respect of Central Jail, Bhatinda give a satisfactory account of action initiated on the recommendations relating to the state of sanitation, kitchen, long-stay under-trial prisoners, holding of Jail Adalats, improvement of interview facilities and the functioning of Jail factories. 4.86 The ATRs dated 21.2.03 and 3.6.03 in respect of the Central Jail, Gwalior indicate satisfactory compliance on the recommendations relating to sanitation and hygiene, kitchen management, diet to children, prisoners requiring cataract surgery, holding of Jail Adalats and specific problems of convicts and under-trials. However, nothing substantial has been done to improve the availability of police escort staff for taking prisoners to outside hospitals. 4.87 The ATRs dated 10.7.03 and 5.2.04 in respect of the Central Jail, Coimbatore, Open Air Jail Singanallur and Sub Jail, Coonoor give a very satisfactory account of action taken on recommendations made by the Commission. Necessary amendment in the Prison Manual has been initiated to implement the suggestions for streamlining the payment of wages to prisoners at the time of release. Action has been taken to constitute District Level Committees to recommend compensation to victims’ families from the deductions made out of prisoners’ wages. In order to expedite the constitution of Board of Visitors, powers have been delegated to the ADG (Prisons) for appointment of non-official Visitors. The eligibility rules for admission to open jail have been modified in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations for ensuring optimum utilization of the capacity of open air prisoners. ANNUAL REPORT 2003-04