Bijnor: As part of modernization scheme of UP government, kitchens of jails in all the districts of UP are proposed to be mechanized. In the first phase, 26 jail kitchens are in different stages of mechanization. Of these, Bijnor is the first to have achieved the feat. On Friday, these labour-saving machines started operating in the new high-tech kitchen at Bijnor jail, with prisoners heaving a sigh of relief. Till date, they had to prepare food for all inmates by doing all work manually.Now, the scenario has changed. Different types of machines have been installed in the kitchen to knead flour and prepare chapatis on a largescale. Apart from this, machines will now be put to use for peeling and cutting vegetables and potatoes.According to jail superintendent DC Mishra, “There are 950 prisoners lodged in the jail. Earlier, around 55 prisoners were deputed to prepare the food every day. But now, all work is being done with these machines. Initially, we faced some problems as prisoners did not have much knowledge about these machines and did not know how to use them. However, experts have trained them. It will take time for the prisoners to get accustomed to these machines. Around 25 prisoners have been deputed for operating and monitoring the procedure. But they will not have to do physical work. The main advantage of this scheme is that food will be prepared under more hygienic conditions as these will not be touched by hand.”Officials said government has sanctioned around Rs 15 lakh for development of each kitchen. The kitchen comprises around 10 machines. Of these, two will be used for kneading flour, two for peeling vegetables, two for cutting vegetables and two for making chapatis.According to DIG, UP jails (headquarters) Love Kumar, “We have more than 70 jails in UP and each of them has more than a thousand prisoners. The responsibility of preparing meals for these prisoners is also entrusted on the inmates and hence, the task is really strenuous. In the last financial year, UP government had taken up this initiative of modernizing kitchens by equipping them with electric chimneys, vegetable cutters, roti makers, wheat cleansing machines, etc. This will immensely reduce the work of inmates. Bijnor is the first to achieve this status. By April-end, other jails kitchens should also be ready. Next year, another batch of 26 jails will be taken up.”

Stay updated with all the Meerut Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.