(1) The Government may, in consultation with the District Magistrate and subject to such conditions and in such manner as may be prescribed, release temporarily for a period specified in sub-section (2) any prisoner if the Government is satisfied that,-
(a) a member of the prisoner's family has died or is seriously ill;
or
(b) the marriage of the prisoner's son or daughter is to be celebrated; or
(c) the temporary release of the prisoner is necessary for ploughing, sowing or harvesting or carrying on any other agricultural operation on his land and no friend of the prisoner or a member of the prisoner's family is prepared to help him
1. Substituted for "Union territory of Himachal Pradesh" by A.O. 1973.
2. The Act came into force from 1 st September, 1971 vide Notification No. 2-45/71- jails (Sectt.), dated 17 th August, 1971, published in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 23 rd August, 1971, p. 1120.
THE HIMACHAL PRADESH GOOD CONDUCT PRISONERS (TEMPORARY RELEASE) ACT, 1968 3 in this behalf in his absence; or
(d) it is desirable so to do for any other sufficient cause.
(2). The period for which a prisoner may be released shall be determined by the Government so as not to exceed,-
(a) Where the prisoner is to be released on the ground specified in clause (a) of sub-section (1), two weeks;
(b) where the prisoner is to be released on the ground specified in clause (b) or clause (d) of sub-section (1), four weeks; and
(c) where the prisoner is to be released on the ground specified in clause (c) of sub-section (1), six weeks.
(3) The period of release under this section shall not count towards the total period of the sentence of a prisoner.
(4) The Government may, by notification, authorise any officer to exercise its power under this section in respect of all or any of the grounds specified therein.