(1) The State Government or any authority to which the State Government may delegate its power in this behalf may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, release temporarily for a period not exceeding ten days in a year (excluding the time required for journeys and the days of departure from and the arrival at prison) any prisoner who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to a prisoner who has been classified as habitual criminal for the purposes of this Act and who has had more than three convictions.
(3) No person shall be released under sub-section (1) unless,—
(a) he has at the time of his release served one half of his sentence including remission or a period not less than two years of sentence including remission, whichever is less;
(b) his conduct in prison has been good;
(c) twelve months have elapsed from the date of the expiry of the period of his previous release, if any, under this section.
(4) The period of release of a prisoner under sub-section (1) shall not count towards the total period of his sentence.