1. This Court has been receiving petitions from prisoners in the various jails of the State either directly or through the grievance deposit boxes maintained in the jails. Such of those matters as call for attention of the Government are brought to the notice of the Government by the High Court, expecting that action would be taken thereon and if no action is taken then the court is called upon to look into the matter on the judicial side and pass necessary order.

2. The High Court forwarded a request, of 19 prisoners from the Central Prison at Cannanore to the Government for necessary action along with the letter of the Registrar dated 18-6-1982. One of the prayers made in the representation by the prisoners was that the wages of the prisoners may be enhanced. The Government's attention was drawn to this prayer. In fact the question of enhancement of wages of prisoners was pending with the Government on a recommendation made by the High Court earlier. That has been so pending for a fairly long time, for more than three years now. In the meantime representations in that matter are being received from the prisoners. Therefore the High Court decided to take cognizance of t