A total of 189 inmates lodged in different prisons of Maharashtra will be released on the Republic Day next week as part of a special remission programme, officials said on Wednesday.

The Maharashtra Prisons Department said in a statement that in order to commemorate the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the Centre has decided to give special remission to certain categories of prisoners on the basis of their good conduct during their term and free them on three occasions - August 15, 2022, January 26, 2023, and August 15, 2023.