6 more prisoner-run fuel outlets to be opened in State

The announcement comes on a day when Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated 5 fuel outlets operated by good conduct prisoners at Vellore, Coimbatore, Puzhal, Pudukottai and Palayankottai, through video conferencing on Friday. The outlets were set up at a cost of Rs 10 crore by Indian Oil Corporation.

IndianOil would be investing an additional Rs 10 crore and the outlets have been proposed at Chennai Ambattur, Salem, Tiruchy (airport road), Tiruchy Gandhi market, Madurai and Coimbatore, officials said and added that the outlets would supply petrol and high speed diesel, besides lubricants.

To ensure continued patronage, loyalty cards and digital payment provision would also be available at these outlets. The national oil major, would also provide free space to sell the produce made by prisoners at these outlets, officials said. IndianOil also plans to set up solar energy plants and prisoners manning the outlets would be paid a daily wage of Rs 100, which would be added to their savings in the prison.

With this initiative, IndianOil gives an opportunity to prison inmates to become skilled workers. They can also learn aspects of safety in handling inflammable products and learn modern technology, a press release on the same stated. The oil marketing company was keen on replicating this model in other states with cooperation from respective State governments and prison authorities, the release added.

Those participated in the Vellore end include DRO J Parthiban, DIG (prisons) Jayabharathy and Vellore central prison superintendent Andal.