Puzhal inmates add new value to demonetised notes

This initiative has been undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Prison Department as part of its skill development programme. Soon after banks collected the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, tonnes of the same had been lying around in various government buildings. To effectively manage the waste, the government came up with the idea to crush the notes, make a pulp and send it to other prisons across the country as well for a similar purpose. 

“We received 36 tonnes of old notes after demonetisation. Since Indian currency is made of cotton, all government offices which are now using the letter pads made by prisoners have hailed its quality. We enlisted professional help to train the inmates,” said Murugesan, DIG (i.c), Puzhal prison. He added that the finished product is sold within government departments. Apart from letter pad making, vegetable farming, rabbit rearing, shoe polish making are other initiatives undertaken by the Prison Department. Jewellery, handicrafts, idols, cookies, sanitary napkins are also sold by them. 

Interestingly, the inmates brought in the New Year in a ‘sweet’ way, spending hours preparing cakes and sweets for Prison Bazaar, which, incidentally, attracts a very large crowd. Products made by them are sold under the brand ‘Freedom’.

“Our breads are the best and none in Chennai can produce as soft a bread like we do here. I have been sentenced to life imprisonment, but thanks to the skill development programme, I now have a catering certificate. I would love to open a bakery after my release,” said Muthumariappan, an inmate, who has already spent 13 years in prison.