Union Govt approves major ED restructuring plan

The Centre has approved a substantial reorganisation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), including an expansion of its workforce across various cadres, in a significant development aimed at enhancing the agency's operational capabilities. This decision, authorised by a sanction order issued by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, seeks to bolster the ED’s capacity to effectively manage the growing number of cases related to money laundering and economic offences.

The most notable changes are within the executive cadre. The number of additional directors of enforcement has more than doubled from 10 to 24, while the number of joint directors will increase from 28 to 49.

Deputy Directors will rise from 148 to 267, and Assistant Directors from 255 to 531. Enforcement officers will see an increase from 355 to 606, and assistant enforcement officers from 425 to 803. The positions of director and special director remain unchanged at one and seven, respectively.

The legal cadre has also experienced significant growth. The number of additional directors (prosecution) has increased from one to seven, deputy legal advisers from seven to eighteen, and assistant legal advisers from eighteen to thirty-six. Additionally, a new adjudication wing is being established to expedite proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).  This wing will include two additional directors (adjudication), three joint directors, five deputy directors, and ten assistant directors. The position of Special Director (Adjudication) is retained at one.

Within the system's cadre, the position of system analyst remains, now placed at a higher pay level. The number of scientific technical assistants remains at eleven, with an upgraded pay scale. The ministerial cadre will see the creation of a new post of internal financial advisor. Assistant Directors (Official Language) will increase from three to six, Superintendents from twenty to thirty, and Assistants from fifty-seven to sixty-five. Other ministerial positions, such as senior translators, upper division clerks, and lower division clerks, will remain unchanged. In the security cadre, the number of senior sepoys will increase from 209 to 273, while the number of sepoys remains at 70.

Among support staff, senior private secretaries will rise from one to four, and stenographer grade-I posts will increase from twenty to forty-four. The number of private secretaries, stenographers grade II, drivers, and multitasking staff remains largely unchanged.

The expenditure for the expanded cadre will be financed by Enforcement, with approval from the competent authority. Senior officials have stated that the notable increases—particularly at the deputy director, assistant director, and enforcement officer levels—will enable the agency to process a larger volume of cases concurrently, reduce delays in investigations and prosecutions, and facilitate faster filings of charges and more rapid progress in high-profile cases.

The expansion of the legal cadre, including additional prosecution directors and legal advisers, is expected to strengthen the ED’s courtroom presence, improve conviction rates, and enhance overall legal efficiency.

Furthermore, the creation of the adjudication wing will expedite the resolution of pending PMLA cases, resulting in faster property attachments and penalties. The increase in ministerial and support staff will streamline administrative processes and internal coordination, allowing investigators to focus more intently on enforcement activities. This move by the Government comes at a time when investigations into financial crimes and money laundering are rising steadily, underscoring the need for an expanded workforce to ensure timely and effective enforcement.