Left in the lurch, GIFS alumni ask govt for help

Venkatesh Narayan; (right) Vikas Avhale

Over 2,000 youth who studied forensic science at the Government Institute of Forensic Science (GIFS-Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur) claim that they are being given stepmotherly treatment as they have not managed to secure permanent government jobs years after completing their courses. The alumni blame rules which do not recognise their course for recruitment tests. "My father, a farmer, took a loan for my MSc in Forensic Science (Chemistry and Toxicology). Despite clearing the Masters with distinction, I have been jobless for 18 months," said Vikas Avhale, 28, a former student of GIFS, Aurangabad. Currently, Avhale helps his father on the farm.

Avhale said, "GIFS being a government institute, the scope of getting a government job appeared high. I was impressed by the prospectus and the institute and decided to study BSc in Forensic Science. Later I was selected for the MSc, too."

"Forensic science is very crucial for scientific investigation of any offence, especially in an emerging economy like ours," said Avhale, who studied forensic chemistry and toxicology.

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No job for 18 months

Avhale was hired as a contractual staff to train recruits at the police training centre, Jalna, where he trained fresh constabulary recruits and earned R900 per day for three lectures daily. However, there has been no new recruitment for the past 18 months and hence, no income for Avhale.

Asked why he is not trying to get into the private sector, Avhale said, "The only experience I have is giving basic forensic training to police recruits. Unless the government seriously considers alumni like me, our futures will be in the dark."

GIFS Mumbai alumnus, Venkatesh Narayan, 28, a resident of Kalyan, socred 81 per cent marks in MSc Forensic Science (Chemistry and Toxicology). He has been doing freelance work. "We trusted the state government and invested five crucial years in the course, which today, we realise, is not of much use. The government has ruined hundreds of lives," Venkatesh said. Venkatesh added, "I worked temporarily at State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Kalina, then cleared my FACT (Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test) conducted by the union home ministry and managed to get a contractual job at Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Pune, of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). I earned Rs 35,000 per month. Though the contract was for three years, I could not continue for more than a year."

Crux of the issue

Venkatesh added, "The curriculum and course are designed by the State Higher and Technical Education department, but FSL and police training centres are under the state home department. Our plea to bring GIFS under home ministry was not accepted as the State Higher and Technical Education department is not willing to give up GIFS and home department not willing to bring it under its umbrella."

Venkatesh added that the state CID offers recruitment tests for BSc graduates. "There is no provision for GIFS alumni to give the recruitment test. I was among the few GIFS alumni who raised our concerns with both departments at Manatralya and were later allowed to appear for the test. To our horror, basic science questions were asked for a technical job. Selected people were given on-the-job training, before being given contractual and permanent jobs. This is unfair," Venkatesh said, adding that the test for the State FSL, too, had irrelevant questions.

"We are trained forensic experts who studied in a state government institute recognised by State universities (Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur), but the State's recruitment rules do not even recognise us. I am forced to do freelance work," Venkatesh said.

GIFS alumni have asked that the government employ those who graduated from the institute earlier, lest more youngsters studying at the institute are left without prospects.

The other side

Amol Deshmukh, nodal officer attached to the Higher and Technical Education department, Maharashtra said, "Getting a degree is not an alternative to get a government job, where the yardsticks for hiring will continue as per the State Public Service Commission's existing norms. We are getting the rules amended so that even GIFS alumni can apply for recruitment examinations held by the State. But this cannot be interpreted as an open invitation for placements. The degree is affiliated to recognised universities of the country, they are equally eligible for all other competitive exams at the state and central level."

"Minister Uday Samant is aware of the ground situation and of the students' fates. This is why a meeting was conducted to effect changes and fill vacancies at various laboratories and in police training centres. Submissions have been made by the former Director General (Technical and Legal) on providing internships with stipends for GIFS students and the same need to be approved and accepted by the state home department," Deshmukh said.