From Friday,buy Tihar products in courts

The first of these outlets — named ‘TJ’s — is will be inaugurated on Friday at the Delhi High Court by acting Chief Justice Madan B Lokur in the presence of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog.

Tihar Jail also got an ISO certification on the quality of its products 15 days ago.

The move to open these outlets at courts,officials say,is because a large number of litigants,lawyers,judges,court staff and police personnel visit these complexes every day. “The motive is to promote products at complexes that have been visited by the inmates,” said a jail official.

The outlets would be run by Tihar Jail staff and NGOs engaged in rehabilitation work at Tihar. From the jail factory,products like shirts,trousers,T-shirts,file covers,paper,bakery items (like namkeen and biscuits),furniture and household items will be sold at the court outlets.

“The products made by inmates are quality products and will be sold at competitive rates. For example,a Tihar jail shirt is priced at Rs 150 to Rs 200,” said Sunil Gupta,Tihar PRO

Tihar products are at present sold in Delhi khadi shops and are quite popular. In 2008-2009,the Tihar factory had a turnover of Rs 6.5 crore; it went up to Rs 10 crore in 2009-10. Over 700 prisoners work at jail factory and get paid. The factory has different sections — weaving,carpentry,a chemical,paper and tailoring unit and the bakery.

A ‘Tihar Haat’ outside the jail also serves as a product outlet. “This is a jail initiative so that when the inmates are released,they can find work,” Gupta added.