Science Minister Pledges Budget for Forensic Science Lab

Kathmandu. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Mahabir Pun has expressed commitment to manage the necessary budget for the National Forensic Science Laboratory every year. He said this on Monday while responding to the queries raised by the members of parliament during the discussion on the 'National Forensic Science Laboratory (Establishment and Operation) Bill, 2081' in the meeting of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee under the House of Representatives. Minister Pun clarified that the work of managing the laboratory could not gain momentum in the past because the government did not allocate budget. He expressed the view that the establishment of such important laboratories should not be halted due to lack of budget. He stated that it is possible to move forward in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the construction and operation of the said laboratory. Minister Pun also clarified that the government will pay attention to management according to the needs of the general public. Speaking at the committee meeting, he said, 'Regarding the cost of this laboratory, the money will be added year by year. The budget will be increased year by year.' He said that it seemed to him that the work had been stalled because the government had not allocated any budget so far. Connecting to the context raised in the discussion, he added, 'As the issue of a Taiwanese citizen came up earlier, they had to be deported. This is done by the Ministry of Home Affairs.' Therefore, he emphasized the need to move forward in coordination with other ministries as this matter is needed not only by the court or the judiciary but also by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.