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PATIALA: The Punjab jails departments has signed an agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation under which prisoners with good character will manage petrol pumps.

The pumps will operate on the department's land. As part of this, the department plans to open the first such station at Patiala-based Punjab Jail Training School. Besides, Verka and Markfed products will be available at these pumps and the income generated from them will be spent on the welfare of inmates.

If the Patiala project is a success, the model will be replicated across the state. Punjab jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa signed the memorandum for the state government at Punjab Jail Training School on Monday.

It is learnt that the state government has identified sites in Patiala, Sangrur , Faridkot and Gurdaspur districts for the project.

