Work programme and wages.

(1) Every prisoner, including undertrial prisoner or civil prisoner or prisoner sentenced to simple imprisonment, while in custody, may be provided the opportunity of work, if available, and be paid commensurate wages, as may be prescribed. The wages of the prisoners based upon the skill shall be set by the Government, from time to time. (2) The record of wages earned and spent by any prisoner, particulars of deferred wages and matters incidental thereto shall be maintained by the officer-in-charge. (3) The officer-in-charge shall ensure that there is no discrimination of prisoners in allotment of any duty or work in prisons on the basis of their caste. (4) The provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (Central Act No. 25 of 2013) shall have a binding effect in prisons. Manual Scavenging or hazardous cleaning of a sewer or septic tank inside a prison shall not be permitted.