SFIO facing staff shortage: Sachin Pilot

NEW DELHI: The multi-disciplinary Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is facing shortage of staff in areas such as forensic and audit, Parliament was informed today.

"There are a few vacancies of experts in SFIO in the areas of forensic, audit, tax and capital market...All attempts are being made to fill these positions," Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

He, however, said "there is no proposal to increase the existing sanctioned strength for the being.

In order to fill up vacancies, SFIO has been regularly advertising these posts in major newspapers. Additionally, a proposal has been sent to Department of Personnel and Ministry of Finance for amendments to the existing rules to enable SFIO introduce other methods of recruitment.

"Best efforts are being made by the Ministry to urgently fill up these vacancies," Pilot added.

The agency comes under the Corporate Affairs Ministry. It is looking into the high profile cases of several chit funds, including those belonging to the Saradha Group from West Bengal.