World anti-counterfeiting day,2013, New Delhi

05/06/2013 | New Delhi

FICCI CASCADE with Ministry of Consumer affairs unveiled a consumer awareness campaign againstcounterfeiting and smuggling on the occasion of World Anti-Counterfeiting Day on 5th June, 2013.Mr.PankajAgarwala, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Foodand Public Distribution unveiling the campaign said that

“Awareness is the beginning of any change.From where I see it, all of us here are seeking a change in the popular culture of tolerance towardscounterfeit and contraband goods. The consumer needs to be made aware of the risks of buyingthese goods that are dangerous to their health and a risk to their safety. By insisting on a bill andchecking the label any consumer can start making a difference in the fight against this menace.”With this unveiling the Department of Consumer Affairs have launched the “JagoGarahakJagoCampaign” against smuggled and counterfeit products. The creative campaign stressed on thenegative socio-economic impact of counterfeiting and smuggling and the ill effects of this illicit tradeon the consumers.

The program highlighted the importance of consumer awareness to curb counterfeiting and smuggling and emphasized on addressing the demand for counterfeit and contraband products.

Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI welcoming the gathering said, “It is critical to the campaign taken up by FICCI-CASCADE that every consumer should have information on the menace and extent of counterfeiting and smuggling. With this vision, FICCI CASCADE has been working closely with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It is this synergy and the sincerity of Team FICCI CASCADE that has earned it Global Recognition Award by the Global Anti-counterfeiting Group, Paris in the Association category on the 28th May 2013. This Award Is an accolade recognising FICCI-CASCADE for its work so far which has been achieved with the continued support of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and is an excellent example of a public-privatepartnership. This award is the result of a continued and sustained campaign by FICCI CASCADE over the last twelve months.”

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman FICCI CASCADE thanking the dignitaries said that “We need to understand this better if we are to make any headway in our campaign against this menace. For instance, we need for all concerned to understand that a counterfeit product steals revenue from the government. This increases the deficit which in turn causes inflation. This in turn reduces the purchasing power of the consumer. Also, buying a “counterfeit and contraband product” knowingly means strengthening the distribution network of all products that are illegal, letting people take one step forward in the quicksand of “living in illegality”. And these steps can lead to help funding organized crime, or to guns and drugs in the hands of our children.”