Nagpur, Feb 26 (KNN) The Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Development Institute (MSME-DI), Nagpur is planning for a scheme to help those convicts who have served their jail time so that they can set up industries after being released fr0m jails.

Reportedly, the MSME-DI, which comes under the Union Ministry of MSMEs has written to the director-general (DG) prisons in the state to share data of inmates who have been released in last one year and are living in Nagpur and nearby places.

The director, MSME-DI, M.M. Parlewar said, “Usually, it is very difficult for former prisoners to get back into the mainstream after they complete the sentence. The stigma means they cannot get jobs, and they are also susceptible to commit crimes again due to that. Self-employment can be the best option in such cases.

This would be the first-ever scheme fr0m an industry-related department purely for the restoration of former prisoners.

Parlewar plans to put up the research thesis itself as a proposal document before the ministry for adopting the model elsewhere in the county once it succeeds in Nagpur.

Parlewar further said, “The idea was conceived in Nagpur and simultaneously I have also registered for Ph.D. research on the subject – restoring inmates by helping them set up industries. There are plans to start the initiative in Nagpur as a pilot project. Once it succeeds, the model may be put forward for implementation in other parts of the country too”

“MSME-DI will select potential candidates fr0m lists provided by the prisons department. There are some prisoners who may have taken up work involving specific skills during the sentence. Funds may be arranged through banks or other government schemes,” he said. (KNN/SS)