DRI celebrates 60th Foundation Day

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Monday observed its 60th Founding Day.

A function to commemorate the occasion was organised at the auditorium of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, here.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was the chief guest of the event and Minister of State (Finance) Shiv Pratap Shukla, was the Guest of Honour.

Jaitley congratulated the DRI and its officers on their past performance.

He also appreciated the inaugural issue of 'Smuggling in India Report' released on the occasion and lauded the idea of presenting DRI Martyr's Medals which was done for the first time.

He exhorted the officers to continue to exhibit the passion and dedication in the light of the increased smuggling across the borders and multifarious means of commercial frauds presenting a challenge to DRI, and especially to use the latest technological tools such as data analytics in fighting this challenge.

The organisation, in a press release, said six that decades back, investigations, notably in the 1950s, brought to light the existence of well-organised syndicates engaged in smuggling of goods into and out of India taking full advantage of the unintegrated approach of preventive control in the country with vast coastline and land border.

"Accordingly, a new organisation was created for the collation and study of information on smuggling activities and the deployment of anti-smuggling resources at all-India level with the sanction of the President dated December 4, 1957. This day is commemorated as DRI Founding Day," the press release added.

It further said the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence functions under the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance and is headed by a Principal Director General.

"It has its headquarters in New Delhi with nine zonal units across the country. It is mandated with analysis of intelligence about smuggling of contraband goods, narcotics, under-invoicing, etc. and liaison with foreign countries, Indian Missions and enforcement agencies abroad on anti-smuggling matters," the press releases stated.

Apart from thwarting smuggling of sensitive contraband items such as gold and narcotics, and detecting import-export related commercial frauds, DRI has been very effective in curbing the menace of circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), illicit international trade of wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, clandestine export of antiques and trade-based money laundering.

"The DRI occupies a position of eminence in the matters of national security and economic health, playing key role in the government's efforts against black money and in protection of environment and preservation of India's rich and ancient cultural heritage," the press release added.