Handicapped by shortage of officers having specialised knowledge in handling the complicated cases, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now inducting professionals on contract for three years that can be extended by another two years.

Computer professionals, experts in engineering, insurance, taxation, banking and foreign trade will be invited to join the agency on contract as specialists for investigations.

A scheme has been notified to engage up to 30 computer professionals and 15 in the remaining categories for the time being. There are two posts in each category, one with a fixed monthly salary of Rs 60,000 and another with Rs 40,000. The notification says either side can terminate contract by giving a month's notice. Those so engaged are barred from taking up private commercial employment or assignment.

The regular posts in the agency are filled up through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), but the notification says these contracted professionals will be selected by an internal committee comprising the CBI chief, one additional director, one joint director and a representative of the department of personnel.

The notification also states that even while managing with contractual jobs, the CBI should "simultaneously take steps to fill up all vacancies in various ranks of professionals on a regular basis" and terminate the contractual professionals once the posts are filled up.

While the computer professionals will be engaged on contract as programmers and assistant programmers, others will be designated as advisers and deputy advisers. One set of such advisers and deputies will be for insurance and taxation, another for banking and foreign trade and third for engineering.