Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated 65th Foundation Day celebrations of DRI in New Delhi

Tags: Economy/Finance Important Days

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the two-day long 65th Foundation Day celebrations of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 5. 

Important facts

• The current edition of "Smuggling in India Report 2021-22" was released by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on the occasion.

• The report deals with the trends in the area of anti-trafficking and commercial frauds and the performance and experience of DRI in the last financial year.

• As many as 22 Customs administrations covering the Asia-Pacific region along with international organisations are invited to the event this year. 

About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) 

• DRI is the principal intelligence and enforcement agency on anti-smuggling matters under the aegis of the Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India.

• It was established on 4 December 1957.

• It is headquartered in New Delhi and has 12 zonal units, 35 regional units and 15 sub-regional units, employing approximately 800 officers.

• It is tasked with curbing the smuggling of goods including drugs, gold, diamonds, electronics, foreign currency, and counterfeit Indian currency.

• It serves to prevent smuggling of goods including drugs, gold, diamonds, electronics, foreign currency, and counterfeit Indian currency.

• It also works to combat commercial frauds and evasion of customs duties related to international trade.