Products made by prisoners in HP to be sold on Flipkart

The Himkara Unnayan Samiti, under the Himachal Pradesh Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Flipkart in this regard, it said. This initiative will also support their reintegration into society after release, said Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Trivedi.

Products such as handicrafts, handmade clothing, furniture, and other items made by prisoners in Himachal Pradesh will be sold on Flipkart's online platform under an MoU signed by the state prison department and the online retailer, a release said on Wednesday. The Himkara Unnayan Samiti, under the Himachal Pradesh Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Flipkart in this regard, it said. Support will also be provided for packaging, branding, and logistics, so that the products meet market standards and remain competitive. The MoU is a major step towards the rehabilitation, skill development, and financial empowerment of prisoners. The income earned from these online sales will go directly to the prisoners, helping improve their financial situation and quality of life. This initiative will also support their reintegration into society after release, said Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Trivedi. Prisoners will also be given training in line with current market needs, so they can develop new skills and find better self-employment opportunities after their release. Himachal Pradesh's jails currently house around 3,000 inmates, of whom 1,000 are convicted prisoners and 2,000 are undertrials. This initiative is a significant step by the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services towards bringing positive change in the lives of prisoners and helping them become self-reliant and responsible members of society, the statement added.