3^rd August 2024 | FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi

India is grappling with a widespread network of smuggling and counterfeiting. This rampant counterfeiting not only undermines legitimate businesses but also poses severe health risks to consumers, as counterfeit medicines and unsafe products proliferate, especially in rural areas with low consumer awareness.

FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organised an auto rally on 3rd August 2024, at Tansen Marg, New Delhi, in order to highlight the impact of illicit trade on the economy. The rally aimed to educate the public about the dangers of counterfeit goods and smuggling, emphasizing how these activities harm legitimate businesses, lead to job losses, and affect government revenues.

The rally underscored the need for public awareness and cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by illicit products, which undermine the integrity of the economy and consumer safety.

Mr. Praveen Khandelwal, Delhi MP for Chandni Chowk, initiated the rally by flagging it off. He also delivered a significant speech addressing the urgent need to combat smuggling and counterfeiting. Mr. Khandelwal emphasized that smuggling has a “crippling effect on our economy” and highlighted the connection between illicit trade and funding for terrorist activities. He also urged the public to actively participate in spreading awareness about the dangers of such illicit products. He said, “It is thus important for us to spread awareness about anti-smuggling activities, and as citizens, we must take the responsibility to ensure smuggled and counterfeit goods don’t enter our markets.”

Mr. Khandelwal requested FICCI to conduct similar awareness drives in every state, emphasizing the need for widespread engagement. He stated that “I also request FICCI to conduct awareness drives of this nature in every state, and I will exhort the retailer community to participate wholeheartedly in these initiatives.”

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman of FICCI CASCADE, while emphasizing the implications of smuggling said that “Illicit Trade not only harms the economy through job losses and revenue leakages but also threatens the national safety and security”. He stressed on the importance of preventing the smuggled goods from entering the Indian market and reaching the consumers.

Highlighting the threats that smuggled goods and illicit trade pose to our country and the urgent need to act against counterfeiting and smuggling, Mr. Rajput hoped that through the auto rally and the support of the autorickshaw drivers, light would be shed on these rampant issues.

The auto rally was diligently laid out, following a route that spanned Tansen Marg, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Outer Circle Connaught Place, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg, and Barakhamba Road, ultimately concluding its journey at FICCI, Federation House.

The rally saw participation from 300+ auto rickshaws.