Tamil Nadu doubles victim compensation, announces prison upgrades

In the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday, Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar announced several measures related to victim compensation and prison infrastructure. Citing prevailing economic conditions and rehabilitation needs, the government doubled compensation under the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Fund Rules, 2009. Compensation for death or murder was raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Payouts for grievous injuries were increased to Rs 40,000, and for simple injuries to Rs 20,000.

The government also announced plans to add 18 doctors and 29 nurses across prisons, and to appoint part-time psychologists in 13 district jails. A new district jail with a capacity of 500 inmates will be built in Tiruvallur at a cost of Rs 48.76 crore, aimed at decongesting Puzhal Central Prison. A 50-bed Integrated Mental Health Care Centre will be set up at Vellore Central Prison at a cost of Rs 3.63 crore. Additionally, an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) will be established inside Chennai Central Prison-I at a cost of Rs 8 crore for vocational training.