Finance Minister P. Chidambaram today said there is a need to equip Enforcement Directorate, ED, with more trained human resources and latest information technology to deal with the sophisticated crimes of money laundering. Addressing a function to mark Enforcement Day Celebration this morning, he suggested the officers of ED to be extremely careful while dealing with cases of money laundering. Stating that enforcement of economic laws is more difficult than penal laws, he asked the enforcement officers not to hinder the economic activity by investigation process in the larger interest of the economy. The Finance Minister asked the officers and staff of ED to improve their quality of work as it has significant role in dealing with the emerging economic crimes.

Referring to shortage of manpower in ED, he also asked the Central Vigilance Commission, UPSC and Department of Personnel and Training to understand the gravity of the situation and fill the vacancies. The Finance Minister also suggested taking officers from state police and after suitable training attaching them with the ED for prosecution of money laundering cases.