Question : Food for Muslim Prisoners

(a) the details of guidelines/arrangements regarding providing food for sehri and iftar to Muslim prisoners during the month of Ramazan;

(b) whether there are reports that Muslim prisoners are not provided sehri and iftar in various central jails during the month of Ramazan;

(c) if so, the action taken by the Government against the jail authorities;

(d) whether Muslim prisoners are allowed to gather at one place to perform prayers during this month;

(e) if so, whether there is any order/instruction to jail authorities in this regard; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a): The respective jail manuals of the States/UTs govern provision of special food to inmates during religious festivals/special occasions.
(b): No, Madam.
(c): Does not arise.
(d) to (f): “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Therefore, the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. The data is not compiled centrally in this regard.
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