THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, May 29: In a significant move aimed at strengthening the country’s financial crime investigation framework, the Union Finance Ministry has approved a comprehensive restructuring of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), expanding its sanctioned workforce by nearly 60 per cent.
The restructuring plan, cleared on May 27, increases the ED’s total sanctioned strength from 2,029 posts to 3,256 posts, reflecting the government’s focus on enhancing the agency’s capabilities in tackling money laundering, foreign exchange violations and other economic offences.
Major Expansion in Investigation Wing
The most substantial changes have been made in the ED’s Executive Cadre, which handles investigations under key laws such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Under the revised structure:
- Additional Directors increased from 10 to 24
- Joint Directors increased from 28 to 49
- Deputy Directors increased from 148 to 267
- Assistant Directors increased from 255 to 531
- Enforcement Officers increased from 355 to 606
- Assistant Enforcement Officers increased from 425 to 803
The number of Special Directors remains unchanged at seven.
Legal and Prosecution Cadre Strengthened
The restructuring also significantly enhances the ED’s legal and prosecution framework.
Key changes include:
- Additional Directors (Prosecution) increased from 1 to 7
- Deputy Legal Advisers increased from 7 to 18
- Assistant Legal Advisers increased from 18 to 36
Officials said the move is intended to improve prosecution efficiency and strengthen the agency’s preparedness in handling complex cases before courts and tribunals.
Dedicated Adjudication Wing Expanded
A major feature of the restructuring is the strengthening of the ED’s adjudication wing, which handles enforcement-related proceedings.
The expanded adjudication setup now includes:
- 2 Additional Directors
- 3 Joint Directors
- 5 Deputy Directors
- 10 Assistant Directors
The enhanced structure is expected to speed up adjudication processes and improve case disposal.
Support and Administrative Staff Also Increased
The overhaul extends to technical, ministerial and support cadres.
Among the changes:
- Creation of an Internal Financial Adviser post
- Assistant Directors in the ministerial cadre increased from 3 to 6
- Superintendents increased from 20 to 30
- Assistants increased from 57 to 65
- Senior Sepoys increased from 209 to 273
Pay revisions have also been approved for analysts and technical assistants in the system cadre.
Focus on Financial Crime Investigations
Government officials said the expansion is aimed at improving field-level enforcement capacity and enabling the ED to handle a growing volume of cases involving money laundering, financial fraud, foreign exchange violations and cross-border economic offences.
The increased manpower is expected to enhance the agency’s operational efficiency, investigative reach and prosecution capabilities across the country.