1 cri-PIL-17-10 mgn IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY APPELLATE SIDE, CRIMINAL JURISDICTION CRIMINAL PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO.17 OF 2010 Sumit Brijbihari Giri ..Petitioner Vs. The State of Maharashtra ..Respondents. None for the Petitioner. Mr. P.A.Pol, PP with Mr. A.R. Patil, APP for State. CORAM: B. H. MARLAPALLE & U.D. SALVI, JJ. DATE: 13th October, 2010. P.C. 1. We have perused the affidavit in reply filed by Shri Rajendra A. Sonawane, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) and Inspector General of Prisons, Maharashtra State. It is stated in the said affidavit that the proposal regarding the Regional D.I.Gs., being given power to purchase raw material has been accepted by the State Government and a copy of the said order dated 14th September, 2010 has been annexed. The daily wages of the prisoners who are assigned the work in the workshops have been 2 cri-PIL-17-10 revised and they are as under:- a) Skilled Rs.40/- per day. b) Semi-skilled Rs.35/- per day. c) Unskilled Rs.25/- per day. 2. With reference to the old wage rates it is clear that the increase made from 1st September, 2010 varies from 40% to 100% and Mr. Pol, the learned P.P., states that the revision in wages has been done on the basis of the recommendations submitted by the committee constituted and the committee has taken into consideration the wage rates prevailing in some of the major central prisons in India so as to bring parity in wages, the increase so granted is commensurate. 3. In so far as maintenance of bank account is concerned, the same has been opposed on the ground that the rate of cyber crime is on the rise and, therefore, it would not be safe to accept such a proposal. Regarding disbursement of wages, it has been stated that 10% of the earned amount is retained as compulsory savings for the rehabilitation needs of the concerned prisoner and 90% of the remaining amount is paid to him, which is normally spent on purchasing articles from the canteen, approved books, 3 cri-PIL-17-10 payment of fine or other legal obligations as well as remittance to the family members by sending money orders. 4. The petitioner has suggested that the daily wages should be fixed between Rs.80/- to Rs.120/- per day. However, the wages paid in the prison workshops cannot be comparable with the minimum wages payable in other sectors under the Minimum Wages Act, more so when the State is required to spend on the prisoners huge amounts and, therefore, we do not find any force in the demand atleast for the time being. to increase the rate of wages beyond the revised rate and brought into effect from 1st September, 2010. 5. Hence petition is disposed off accordingly. (U.D. SALVI, J.) (B. H. MARLAPALLE, J.)