Draft:Samrat Rahi
Samrat Rahi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1st March, 1984 Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh |
| Status | Serving (2007-Present) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Civil Servant |
| Spouse | Deepsikha Singh |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent | Gajanand Singh Rahi |
Samrat Rahi[1] (born 1984) is a senior Indian civil servant, author, and policy expert currently serving as Commissioner of Income Tax in the Government of India and holding the post of Deputy Chairman of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust), under the 'Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
A 2007-batch[2] officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Rahi is widely recognized for his contributions to port modernization, fiscal governance, and cross-border trade facilitation in South Asia[3]. He is also an author and an award-winning poet with a deep interest in literature and creative writing.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Samrat Rahi was born in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India, in 1984. He pursued his early education in his hometown before enrolling at the Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technological University), where he graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Computer Science Engineering. Demonstrating academic excellence early on, Rahi subsequently worked briefly in the private sector before entering public service.
Driven by a keen interest in public policy and global development, Rahi later completed an M.Sc. in Public Policy and Management from King’s College London (King’s Business School)[4] in 2020. He further broadened his academic repertoire by completing specialized programs at Oxford University (Department for Continuing Education)[5], Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, IIM Lucknow[6], and OECD Korea Policy Centre.
Career
[edit]Following his graduation, Samrat Rahi began his professional career as a Software Engineer at IBM Global Services India. During this period, he developed and deployed enterprise software systems for global clients, gaining experience in digital technology and project management.
Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
In 2007, Rahi cleared the Civil Services Examination and joined the Indian Revenue Service. Over the next decade and a half, he held various leadership positions across India, including Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax in Pune and Kolkata.
During his tenure with the Income Tax Department, Rahi was instrumental in unearthing major tax evasions, leading over 50 search and seizure operations, formulating national tax amnesty schemes like the Income Declaration Scheme (2016) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana[7], and contributing to policy on cross-border taxation and corporate compliance. He also supervised human resources and revenue administration in one of the country’s top five tax zones, and participated in election expenditure monitoring and fiscal transparency initiatives during major state elections.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
In October 2021[8][9], Samrat Rahi was appointed Deputy Chairman of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) on deputation from the IRS. In this capacity, he oversees the functioning of the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) — India’s only riverine major port and the country’s oldest operational port.
As Deputy Chairman, Rahi exercises administrative, operational, and financial authority over one of India’s key maritime gateways[10]. Under his leadership, the port has witnessed:
-- A record cargo throughput of 66.445 million metric tonnes,[11] 19 with 13% growth in container handling and 7.6% increase in vessel traffic.
-- A historic net surplus of ₹501.73 crore, the highest in the port's modern financial history.
-- Execution of landmark PPP projects, including the ₹181.81 crore KPD-I West berth, and mechanization of key jetties.
-- A capital investment of ₹76.97 crores into port modernization, including scanners, berth upgrades, and multimodal connectivity improvements.
-- Groundbreaking international collaborations, including four successful Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route trials, strengthening trade with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.[12];
-- A significant MoU portfolio of ₹36,000 crore signed during GMIS 2023, promoting port-led industrialization and regional trade integration.
He also spearheaded digital initiatives such as the Portsaathi Portal for land allotment and satellite-based encroachment monitoring, as well as environmental sustainability projects including solar energy deployment, waste management, and afforestation.
Rahi has been pivotal in strategic infrastructure planning—leading the DPR completion of the ₹44,000 crore Galethia Bay Major Port[13] in Great Nicobar and the ₹9,583 crore Hooghly Underwater Tunnel Project[14] aimed at decongesting Kolkata's logistics.
International Engagements
[edit]Samrat Rahi has represented India in several international forums and bilateral engagements:
- Delegate at the SASEC Transport Working Group[15] in Bhutan (2024).
- Participant in India-Bangladesh Shipping Secretary-level talks, the 22nd Standing Committee Meeting under the PIWT&T, and the 3rd IGC under the ACMP[16] (2023, Dhaka).
- Attended the OECD Korea Policy Centre’s BEPS program in Seoul[17] (2015).
- IVLP Fellow, U.S. Department of State[18].
- Chevening Scholar (2019–2020), awarded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office[19].
Literary Career
[edit]Apart from his administrative excellence, Samrat Rahi is a passionate writer and poet. His literary pursuits began during his student years at Delhi University, where he received multiple awards in creative writing. He published his debut romantic fiction novel titled “A Romantic Girl”, which delves into the dreams and aspirations of a small-town Indian girl.
Rahi completed his novella during a mentorship program with Gyaan Adab, Pune, and is currently working on more novels.[20] His creative work spans poetry, short stories, and literary essays, reflecting a deep engagement with Indian culture, society, and emotional nuance.
Awards and Honours
[edit]Shri Samrat Rahi has been the recipient of several commendations and formal recognitions throughout his career for excellence in public service, fiscal oversight, and professional training. His contributions have been acknowledged at both national and international platforms.
- Commendation and Appreciation Certificates from the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (2016–2018).
- Honorarium for excellence in electoral duty as Expenditure Observer, Bihar Legislative Elections (2015).
- Recognition by CBDT, IMF-SAARTAC, and Wildlife Institute of India in 2008 for professional training achievements.
Personal Life
[edit]Samrat Rahi[21] currently resides in Kolkata, West Bengal, with his wife and family. Known for his grounded demeanor and insatiable intellectual curiosity, Rahi seamlessly balances his demanding administrative responsibilities with a fulfilling personal life. He is an avid connoisseur of Indian cinema and a devoted technophile, with a deep interest in exploring themes such as artificial intelligence, cross-cultural dynamics, and the philosophy of meditation.
A committed wellness enthusiast[22], he actively pursues practices that promote physical and mental well-being. Deeply empathetic by nature, he also demonstrates a profound sensitivity toward the weaker sections of society, consistently reflecting a compassionate and inclusive outlook in both thought and action.[23]