Kani got hike,weekly prison allowance from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000

Kanimozhi

 Sent to prison in the 2G case, Kanimozhi has upgraded herself to 4G. All for a good cause.

The DMK Rajya Sabha member has got Tihar jail authorities to double her weekly prison allowance from Rs 2,000 (two grand or 2G as the Americans would say) to Rs 4,000.

She is using the money to treat the children of fellow women inmates to snacks and soft drinks from the jail canteen.

Under jail norms, an undertrial — but not a convict — is allowed a maximum of Rs 2,000 a week as “pocket money” from his or her family members. They cannot be given the money directly but only in the form of canteen coupons bought by their families.

“This allows them to buy articles like shampoo, soap, bakery products, soft drinks, fruits, sweets, snacks, towels and other items of daily use from the jail canteen,” said Sunil Gupta, the law officer of Asia’s biggest prison.

He confirmed that the jail authorities had increased Kanimozhi’s allowance after several requests from her.

“She told us she needed more money to buy snacks and other food items for the children of women prisoners. She has become very attached to them and visits them regularly,” Gupta said. Jail sources said the authorities had the discretion to increase the allowance, but added that this had never been done at Tihar before the high-profile 2G accused arrived.

Now the authorities have allowed increased “pocket money” not only for Kanimozhi but also for other 2G accused such as former telecom minister A. Raja and telecom company bosses, a prison official said.

“The other 2G undertrials too had requested the allowance hike to buy articles of daily use,” the jail official said, adding the accused had “made friends” inside the jail.

“They treat fellow inmates to soft drinks and snacks, and in return, these prisoners are always ready to help them in any need,” he said. Sources said these inmates regularly wash the clothes of the 2G accused or give them a massage.

But Kanimozhi seems earnest about helping the women prisoners’ children, officials said. The MP has a school-going son and had cited her “motherhood” in her bail plea but the court had said parental responsibilities could not be considered while deciding bail.

Jail No. 6, which houses female prisoners, has a crèche and a nursery where their children are taught by trained workers. The jail department also provides the children with medical care apart from clothes, food and a bed.

When the children reach the age of six years, they are admitted to boarding school with their mothers’ consent.

“Kanimozhi visits the crèche regularly and spends a lot of time with the children on weekends when there is no court hearing. She buys a lot of food items and fruits for them. She is very popular among the children, who call her ‘auntie’. Her fellow inmates respect her for her generosity,” the jail official said.

He added that the MP was also taking an interest in the candle-making unit at the women’s ward, and was learning how to make candles.

Candle-making is one of the vocational courses run at Tihar to impart skills to the prisoners that would help them earn a living after their release. The candles made by the prisoners are sold.