Jodhpur, Jan. 23 -- The Rajasthan high court has ordered sessions judges, chief metropolitan and chief judicial magistrates, and secretaries of district legal services authorities to carry out surprise inspections of jails within three weeks, citing severe shortages of drinking water, water for washing clothes, and sanitation facilities for prisoners. A single bench of justice Anoop Kumar Dhand on Wednesday directed the formation of a grievance redressal committee in each district. The panel will comprise the district magistrate, district and sessions judge, chief judicial magistrate, district social welfare officer, jail superintendent, and secretary of the district legal services authority. It will hear prisoners' complaints and resolve them in accordance with the law. The bench also instructed jail authorities to display notices in all facilities, informing inmates they can submit written grievances to the committee. Judicial officers must interact personally with as many prisoners as possible during inspections and file detailed reports with the high court. The bench observed: "Though the Rules of 1951 were framed for the administration of jails and reformation of prisoners, the same were amended by enacting the new Rules, i.e., the Rajasthan Prisoners Rules, 2022. Several provisions with regard to bathing, washing of clothes, and the supply and use of drinking water have been amended. In spite of the amended Rules of 2022, the ground reality is altogether different. Still, the prisoners are not getting adequate drinking and washing water and other facilities in jails, which they are entitled to get." "The endeavour of this Court is to impress upon the Central and State Governments to specially introduce jail reforms and strictly impose the provisions of the Model Prisons Act, 2023, and the Rules of 2022. The practical difficulties faced by the inmates (prisoners) remain unaddressed, and they remain neglected because they are convicts or undertrials, since they are viewed as criminals and have no choice. Even if they try to raise their grievances, their voices remain unheard," the bench added. The court further ordered: "This Court deems it just and proper to issue interim directions to the State respondents to come out with a mechanism/policy providing adequate water, i.e., water for drinking and washing, to the inmates lodged in various district and central jails in the State of Rajasthan..."...