Chidambaram to DRI: Use latest technologies for improved trade facilitation

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to focus on better trade facilitation, using the latest technology and to share acquired information with other relevant agencies.

Speaking at the 56th Founding Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) here, Chidambaram said it is the age of technology and, therefore, intelligence agencies should use the latest technology, both for intelligence gathering and information analysis.

Accordingly, he said, there is a need for recruiting the right type of persons.

Chidambaram said that in order to do that, there is need for change in the method of recruitment of officers and staff, their training and deployment for optimal results.

The Finance Minister said there is so much of information available to share, but most of the intelligence agencies remain in sylo.

He said that intelligence agencies must learn to speak to each other and share information with each other in order to achieve better results.

He said that massive information worth sharing is lying at various platforms, including PAN data base, registration data for excise and service tax for imports and exports, depositories in capital market and insurance sector among others.

Later, Chidambaram released a coffee table book on the DRI.