The Ministry of Finance has approved the restructuring of a key cadre in the Enforcement Directorate (ED), significantly expanding the agency’s investigation and enforcement force amid an increasing workload linked to cases of money laundering and foreign exchange violations.
According to an order issued by the Revenue Department on Wednesday, the restructuring significantly increases the number of posts across the Executive Directorate’s executive cadre, particularly at operational levels dealing with investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The permissible strength of deputy director positions has been increased from 148 to 267, while assistant director positions have doubled from 255 to 531. The number of law enforcement officers has increased from 355 to 606, and the number of assistant law enforcement officers has increased from 425 to 803.
Read also: The SC seeks response from the Center and the ED on the petition seeking a time-bound inquiry into the Jaypee Group money laundering case.
The order also provides for expansion at higher levels. The number of additional director posts has been increased from 10 to 24, while the number of joint director posts has been increased from 28 to 49.
Officials said the restructuring aims to enhance the operational capacity of the executive department as the agency has witnessed a significant rise in financial crimes investigations over the past few years. The strengthening of the workforce is expected to improve case monitoring, prosecution and adjudication mechanisms.
The order also creates and expands positions in the agency’s legal, judicial, systems, ministerial, and security wings. In the legal cadre, the number of positions of deputy legal advisors increased from seven to 18, while the positions of assistant legal advisors doubled from 18 to 36.
A separate arbitration wing has also been strengthened with new posts of Additional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director.
The order stated that the restructuring expenses will be covered from the approved budget grant of the Enforcement Directorate.
