Patiala, Jan. 9 -- The Punjab Health Department has fixed a daily food allocation of Rs.150 per inmate for three meals at Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) across the state -- apparently to standardise the diet money. As of now various centres allocate different amounts for diet for inmates.

Interestingly, the newly fixed allocation is significantly lower than what is currently being spent at several government-run DDRCs.

Mohali Centre is providing a daily diet costing Rs.280 per inmate, while a government DDRC in Patiala is offering a diet nearly worth Rs.200 per day.

"To ensure all the individuals undergoing treatment in DDRCs in the state receive nutritional and timely meals. A cost of approximately Rs.150 per per...