Chandigarh, Aug 3 - Extending a special gesture to women whose brothers are spending time in jails across the state, the Punjab government Monday announced that sisters will be allowed to tie rakhis to their imprisoned brothers Wednesday.

Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria said that special instructions were being issued to jail officials all over the state to allow women to tie rakhis to their brothers who are lodged in jails across the state.

The Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, which symbolises the bond of love between brothers and sisters, falls Aug 5.

The special concession can be availed by sisters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Gabria said.

In neighbouring Haryana, the state government allows all women to travel free in state transport buses on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan to go and tie rakhis to their brothers in any part of the state.