Maha govt to prepare norms for industrial reactors to improve workers' safety

The Maharashtra industrial department will prepare norms and a system for inspecting industrial reactors Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative council on SaturdayFadnavis was responding to the leader of the opposition Ambadas Danves demand for drafting a policy for reactors on the line of boilers to prevent blasts and other accidents involving industrial workersDanve mentioned such accidents in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Mumbai Nashik and other industrial areas raising concerns over the safety of workers employed in small units that use reactorsHe demanded rules and policies for the regulation of reactors on lines of boilersFadnavis said the state industrial department will be immediately directed to frame norms and set up a system for the reactor inspectionAn industrial reactor is a piece of equipment being used to create chemical reactions in various industries including chemical pharmaceutical food and cosmeticsPrison reforms bill passed by Maharashtra assembly highsecurity jail to come up in MumbaiThe Maharashtra legislative assembly on Friday passed a bill seeking to reform the prison system in the stateThe Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2024 is based on the Model Prisons Bill 2023 sent by the Centre to the states Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the HouseA highsecurity prison and detention centre will be set up in Mumbai while a new prison being built in Pune will be a twostorey facility he addedA plot of land has been finalised for the new prison in Mumbai the CM saidAs many as 1600 accused who have got bail continue to stay in prison in the state for the lack of money to pay for bail bond he informedThe bill provides for categories of prisons such as special prison open prison for women temporary prison and open colony Open prisons and open colonies will help with rehabilitation and reintegration of former jail inmates after their release Fadnavis saidThe bill also provides for the constitution of a prison and correctional prison forceA welfare fund for prison staff and another fund for the welfare of prisoners is also an important feature of the legislation the CM saidIt also provides for better segregation of various categories of prisoners and their special needs as women transgenders undertrial prisoners convicts highrisk prisoners and habitual offendersThe bill also makes provisions for a grievanceredressal mechanism for prisoners aftercare rehabilitation service and a separate womens ward in prison hospitalsAn undertrial review committee will be set up in every district for periodical review of all undertrial prisoners and to take measures for speedy disposal of cases and make appropriate recommendations to trial courtsTechnology including biometrics closedcircuit television CCTV scanning and detection services Radio Frequency Identification and video conference facilities will be used for effective management and supritendence of prisons and to ensure the safety of inmates the CM saidThe entire prison administration will be computerized the chief minister saidWith inputs from PTI