Consider the following statements : Statement-I : In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons. Statement-II: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
The Constitution of India, under Entry 4 of the State List (List II), empowers State Governments to legislate on 'Public Order and Police', which encompasses the administration of prisons. The Prisons Act of 1894, a colonial-era legislation, continues to be the governing framework, and at that time, it assigned the control of prisons to Provincial Governments. Post-independence, the responsibilities devolved to the respective State Governments, making Statement II a foundational reason for the current administrative structure described in Statement I.
Source: UPSC gs1 2023