Forensic graduates from Maharashtra may now volunteer with the Home Guard

Institute of Forensic Science, Aurangabad

Jobless forensic science graduates and postgraduates, who pursued the courses at the Government Institutes of Forensic Science (GIFSs), have now been offered an opportunity to serve as part of the Maharashtra Home Guard. The move has come after the GIFSs allegedly approached the Home Guard requesting for the same. However, the GIFS director has denied the same and said the letter issued by the Home Guard was fake.

The move has drawn flak from forensic experts across the state who termed it as wastage of human resources, especially at a time when law enforcing agencies across the country are strengthening their investigation team by hiring forensic experts. They also said that while the Central government is setting up National Forensic Universities (NFUs), the situation in Maharashtra's GIFSs, affiliated to University of Mumbai, are losing credentials as it is failing to generate employment opportunities for its students. mid-day was the first to highlight the plight of the students in its articles on July 16 and July 19.

‘Waste of skilled human resources'

An official from the Higher and Technical Education Department, who did not wish to be named, said, "GIFSs in Maharashtra are not under the home department but are under the Higher and Technical Education Ministry. Forensics is a highly technical and professional domain and the students should be working in close association with the state forensic laboratories, police force and the home department."

Dr Indrajit Khandekar, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at MIGMS, Sevagram, Wardha, said, "Forensic science personnel collect, preserve and analyse evidence found at crime scenes. They are also trained in analysis of DNA, blood marks and other chemical substances. If trained, then they can also operate advanced equipment and computer programmes to analyse evidence. Appointing such technically trained people as home guards is not proper as they do not take part in probe." The payment or honourarium for the same is also as low as a total of R670 per day, only for days they work.

Home Guard speaks

Dr K Venkatesham, Director General (Civil Defence) who holds charge of Commandant General Home Guard, said, "Home Guard is a voluntary set up and it is open for anyone who is willing to join, with an intent to provide voluntary service." When asked about the scope of technically qualified people there, Dr Venkatesham said, "Opportunities are created when talents pool in and we are in the process of doing the same."

The row

Dr Pratima Jadhav, director of Institute of Forensic Science, Maharashtra, said, "I am working hard in the interest of the students, and as in charge of the forensic institute, my role is to provide students with education; giving them jobs is not in my hand. The government, in the recent cabinet meeting, agreed to give them paid internships."

When asked about the posting in home guard, Dr Jadhav refuted having approached the Home Guard and when asked about Home Guard's letter to her, she said it was fake. However, a Home Guard official rubbished the claim and confirmed that the letter was indeed sent by Home Guard, signed by V B Pawar, Junior Staff Officer, for DG Home Guard, with reference to a letter from Jadhav.

What is the future

Dr K V Kulkarni, who recently retired as director of FSL, Kalina, said, "The government on Wednesday accepted our proposal submitted six months ago to hire these students for internship at FSLs." Vikas Avhale, who holds a MSc degree in Forensic Science with specialisation in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology from Aurangabad, completed his studies in 2015 and has not been able to bag a job till date. He said, "The government is coming up with this new internship programme wherein it will hire 150 students from all three forensic institutes and give them a chance to work at the state and regional Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) for a year. However, a large chunk of the students are left out."

The brain behind GIFS speaks

Rukmini Krishnamurthy, former FSL director and the brain behind setting up GIFSs, said, "It should have been better to follow the norms adopted by the National Forensic University, Gandhinagar. Maharashtra government should consider giving opportunities to these students at police stations and state agencies."

Rs 670
Per day pay for volunteering with the Home Guard