GUWAHATI, Sept 2 - The change in guard in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) following the arrest and subsequent suspension of its tainted former chairman Rakesh Paul has finally ushered in a sense of relief for the State Forensic Science Laboratory, with it finally being able to induct a new batch of forensic experts after a hiatus of almost five years.
The appointment of forensic experts, according to official sources, was kept on hold by the APSC under Rakesh Paul.
The Gauhati High Court too had recently directed the State government to spruce up the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Guwahati and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory at Jorhat within six months based on the recommendations made by an expert committee constituted by it in 2016.
�Despite the directorate pressing for new experts, the APSC during the regime of Rakesh Paul had virtually stalled new appointment in the Forensic Science Laboratory for almost five years, which directly affected the functioning of the lab, especially in time-bound submission of test reports,� official sources told The Assam Tribune, adding that there are still some more sanctioned posts to be filled.
�However, with the new team at the helm of affairs, decks have been cleared for appointment of five new scientific officers who will be inducted in various divisions of forensic science, including ballistic, explosives, question paper, toxicology, and drugs and narcotics,� sources said.
�These are very important divisions with maximum work load. The new appointment (of experts) would definitely aid the law enforcing agencies in solving crimes of serious nature,� sources opined. �While a couple of these officers have already joined, the others will follow suit,� sources added.
�These are purely technical posts which demand expertise on a specific branch of forensic science. As the scope for appointing undeserving candidates in such posts was minimal, the commission apparently paid very little interest,� sources opined.
Sources further informed that in addition to the five inductions, the Director of Forensic Science has also paved the way for appointment of four scientific assistants as well.
