Ludhiana: In a big decision by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Nitin Saini (IRS) has been appointed as the additional director general (ADG) of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Ludhiana zonal office. Saini is the youngest IRS officer to clinch this top most post which has the jurisdiction over Jammu Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.
A 2000 batch IRS officer, Saini has had a very distinguished career as he has busted several high profile cases of tax evasion and cracked numerous cases involving notorious tax evaders. Due to his exemplary services, on the Republic Day of 2017, he was conferred upon the prestigious Presidential award of appreciation certificate for ‘specially distinguished record of service’.
Before being posted as ADG of the DRI, till now Saini has held several important posts in different organisations in Ludhiana. He was serving as commissioner, appeal (CGST and central excise), Ludhiana, since December 2019 and back in 2017 he had served as the additional director of Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI). He has served in the central excise and service tax commissionerate, Ludhiana, as the joint commissioner.
Meanwhile, the high profile charge of DRI, Ludhiana zonal office, includes four main units, which are Amritsar regional unit, Chandigarh regional unit, Jammu regional unit and Sri Nagar sub-regional unit. The post of ADG, Ludhiana, had been lying vacant for several months now and its charge was being held additionally by officials of other DRI units.
DRI is the apex intelligence and investigative agency for matters relating to violation of the Customs Act and its tasks mainly involve around collection of intelligence about smuggling of contraband goods, narcotics, under-invoicing, etc.