Union Finance Minister P Chidambram spoke about ways to facilitate a better market in the country
The Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to focus on better trade facilitation and in order to achieve that, use latest technology and share information with its other counterpart agencies. Chidambaram was speaking at the 56th Founding Day of the DRI recently. The Finance Minister said that it is the age of technology and, therefore, intelligence agencies should use latest technology both for intelligence gathering and information analysis. Accordingly, he said that there is 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. He said that there is so much of information available to share but most of the intelligence agencies remain in sylo. “Intelligence agencies must learn to speak to each other and share information with each other in order to achieve better results,” he said and added that massive information worth sharing is lying at various platforms including PAN database, registration data for excise and service tax for imports and exports, depositories in capital market and insurance sector among others. In conclusion, the Chidambaram said that DRI should work for better trade facilitation, use latest technology and share information with other intelligence agencies for achieving desired results.
later he released a coffee table book on DRI. Earlier speaking on the occasion, Sumit Bose, Finance Secretary said that DRI is known for hard work and integrity of its officers and staff. He asked them to maintain it and further build on the integrity of the organisation in future as well. Praveen Mahajan, chairperson, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said that DRI is a thorough professional body. She asked the officers and staff of DRI to continue to work relentlessly in a fair, transparent and non-adversial manner.
Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Finance, JD Seelam, Minister of State for Revenue, chairperson, CBDT, Members of CBEC & CBDT, senior officers of the Ministries of Finance and Commerce were also present on the occasion among others.