(a) whether the Government is considering stricter norms for foreign journalists visiting Indian jails;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has issued fresh advisories to the States in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): Although “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, and the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Government of India has issued revised guidelines to the States/UTs on 24.7.2015 in this regard, for regulating visits inside jails by individuals/ NGOs/ Company/ Press whether Indian or foreigners for the purposes of undertaking research, making documentaries or interviewing the inmates, etc., which is available at the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the link: http://mha1.nic.in/PrisonReforms/pdf/GuidelinetoVisitInsideJails_240715. pdf
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