KOCHI: The district jail at Kakkanad, which has been rolling out chappathis, biriyanis and various curries for years together, is foraying into new areas giving a tough competition to those in the different businesses in the district. The jail food unit is planning to deliver bakery items soon to the public. Jail Superintendent G. Chandrababu has also plans to launch a new cafeteria near the jail premise.
“There is a daily business of around '1 lakh and an approximate profit of Rs 7 lakh per month. Soon, we may use fifty percent of our profit for launching other programs which include the bakery unit and the cafeteria,” Mr. Chandrababu told DC. A few weeks ago, the unit started making and selling products like, candles, carwash, dish wash, soaps, matchboxes and mosquito coils, which was inaugurated by Jail DGP R. Sreelekha. Elephant caparison is another item that has a lot of buyers.
“People are interested in buying elephant caparison for gifting, or as a presentation for some occasions like house warming. The price ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 4000,” said Mr. Chandrababu. A large number of prisoners are working behind this successful establishment. According to the police, it reduces the mental stress of each prisoner. “There was a plan for a mobile food unit and hiring some transgender staff after I joined here, but it did not happen due to lack of funds. Now we are moving to various bakery products and are opening the cafeteria near the food counter, after launching hand-made articles,” Mr Chandrababu said.
