New Delhi, June 19: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 2254.43 crore five-year Central Sector Scheme for the enhancement of forensic infrastructure in India. The scheme underscores the importance of high-quality, trained forensic professionals in the timely and scientific examination of evidence for an efficient criminal justice process, leveraging the advancements in technology and evolving manifestations and methods of crime.

While addressing the media after a meeting of the union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke about the NFIES and said, "Cabinet has approved a new Central scheme to enhance forensic infrastructure in the country by establishing off-campus labs of National Forensic Sciences University in 28 States and all UTs." Offshore Wind Energy Project in India: VGF Scheme for One GW Offshore Wind Energy Projects in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu Approved by Union Cabinet.

The financial outlay of the Central Sector Scheme "National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme" (NFIES) will be provisioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs' Central Sector Scheme "with a total financial outlay of Rs 2254.43 crore during the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29."

The Cabinet has approved three key components under this scheme: the establishment of Campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the country, establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories in the country, and enhancement of existing infrastructure of the Delhi Campus of the NFSU. Varanasi Airport Expansion: Centre Government Approves Rs 2,869 Crore for Development of Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.

The Central government is committed to put in place an effective and efficient criminal justice system, based on scientific and timely forensic examination of evidence. With the enactment of the New Criminal Laws which mandates forensic investigation for offenses involving punishment of seven years or more, a significant increase in the workload of forensic science laboratories is expected. Further, there is a significant shortage of trained forensic manpower in the Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) in the country.

To meet this heightened demand, significant investment and enhancement in national forensic infrastructure is imperative, said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement. The establishment of additional off-campuses of the NFSU and new Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) would address the shortage of trained forensic manpower, alleviate the case load / pendency of forensic laboratories, and align with the Government of India's goal of securing a high conviction rate of more than 90 per cent, it added.