the process of granting approvals for construction of kitchen, increasing the height of the parameter wall as also for construction/maintenance of clean toilets, separate women prisoners’ hospital, expansion of women prison-wards and barracks and construction of new prisoner cells. We find no valid reason for the delays in the approvals. Needless to state, the approval, being the starting point for any project/development to proceed, it must be dealt with on priority. The Note and the record make it clear that for various jails, approvals for the works are expected to be given in the present Financial Year 2024-25 i.e. in the next 10 months, upto March, 2025. 10. In the above background, the AC has prayed for issuance of directions as under: ‘a) Approval for additional wards in District Jail Aurangabad, District Jail Lakhisarai and District Jail Nawadah, and the 5 women jails mentioned above may be expedited by the State Government so that process for construction can begin at the