Ludhiana, April 6:

 

The technology of making green chilli powder/puree were today introduced to the prisoners of Ludhiana Central Jail by the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, a premier institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute has begun series of training programme with the objective to provide respectful livelihood to the prisoners after they get released from the jail.

 

Dr Dilip Jain, Senior Scientist, who has standardized process of preparing green chilli powder and puree, dwelled upon how the technology could be used for establishing into a successful business. Explaining process of making powder and puree from the green chillies, he said that value addition would be as high as double.

 

“Since CIPHET has recently started transferring the technology to entrepreneurs, there would be enough space for newcomers to run successful business,” said Dr Jain, adding that small scale industrial unit could be set up with cost of less than Rs 3 lakh.On the occasion, Dr Anil Dixit, Senior Scientist, provided inputs on the marketing and financial support.

 

After getting feedback from the prisoners, Dr Nilesh Gaikwad, Scientist, Transfer of Technology Division, said that prisoners getting released soon were keenly interested in entering into food processing center. S.P Khanna, Jail Superintendent, said that such training programs would be useful for prisoners in leading a respectful life after the completion of their sentences. Amrik Singh, Deputy Superintendent (Jail), said that food processing sector could provide ample of employment opportunities.

 

Director CIPHET Dr R.T Patil and Head Transfer of Technology Division Dr Deepak Raj Rai, said that they were committed to make difference in lives of prisoners and would provide all support to interested inmates in establishing their businesses.