From cells to schools: Tihar Jail to craft 10,000 dual desks for Delhi students

Delhi is set to tackle the longstanding furniture shortage in its government schools with a major procurement from the Tihar Jail factory.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Dec 2 that the government will purchase 10,000 dual desks, a move expected to improve learning conditions while supporting rehabilitation programs for inmates.

The project is estimated to cost around ₹8.95 crore, including transportation and related charges.

For the upcoming financial year, the education department has allocated ₹20 crore to upgrade school furniture and basic infrastructure.

The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Gupta. She said the initiative will “strengthen the learning environment for students while supporting employment and rehabilitation programmes for Tihar inmates.”

Gupta noted that the plan aligns with recommendations from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs discussed at the third national chief secretaries’ conference, which emphasized expanding productive work opportunities for prisoners. The desks will be supplied at approved rates, including GST.

According to the CM, the jail-manufactured desks are comparable in quality to Public Works Department furniture and cost nearly 25% less than market alternatives.

She added that the collaboration would enhance school infrastructure and help inmates develop skills useful for reintegration into society.

Education Minister Ashish Sood said Delhi has 1,086 government schools, where increasing enrollments and new classrooms have widened the gap in the availability of dual desks.

A survey conducted in April, consulting school principals, district deputy directors, and regional officials, revealed a requirement of 23,321 desks across 127 schools, with additional requests bringing total demand close to 25,000.

To address the shortage in phases, the government will begin with the procurement of 10,000 desks in the first stage.