Question : Shortage of CFSL

(a) the total number of Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) functioning in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether there is acute shortage of CFSLs, forensic experts and inadequate technical manpower and equipments in such centres resulting in delay in prosecution of accused and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether there is a huge backlog of cases in furnishing reports in forensic science laboratories and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(d) the number of cyber forensic training and investigation laboratories
established in the country, State-wise; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to establish more CFSLs and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which new CFSLs are likely to be opened in the country including in border States and Uttarakhand?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): Six Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) located at Bhopal, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata & Pune are functioning under Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS). Apart from these, one Central Forensic Science Laboratory of Central Bureau of Investigation CFSL(CBI) is located at New Delhi.
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L.S.US.Q.NO.4355 FOR 28.03.2017


(b): Shortage of staff in these laboratories is primarily due to retirement of staff and because of the staff leaving the organisation in search of other opportunities outside the DFSS. In order to increase the efficiency of CFSLs, Government has established three new CFSLs at Bhopal, Guwahati and Pune and upgraded the existing three CFSLs at Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Kolkata at a total project cost of Rs.279.90 crores. In addition, Government has sanctioned 48 new posts and 39 contractual posts of scientific personnel in the CFSLs. All efforts are being made to optimally utilize the resources of CFSLs after suitable prioritization of cases for proper reporting on due time.

(c): The State-wise backlog of cases is at Annexure-I.

(d): CFSLs at Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, CFSL (CBI) at Delhi as well as FSLs in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, NCT Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have Cyber Forensic Divisions.

(e): No, Madam.




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