Past Events

Candle Light Congregation, Jaipur

23/12/2013 | Jaipur

FICCI CASCADE with CANS, Jaipur is organising a Candle Light Congregation on the eve of National Consumer Rights Week, 2013 on 23rd December, 2013 at Rajasthan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Chamber Bhawan, M.I. Road, Jaipur. The Congregation will be at Albert hall followed by a consumer rally to at Rajasthan Chambers of Commerce & Industry. The drain on businesses and the global economy from counterfeit and smuggled goods is of great concern worldwide and are virtually impacting every product’s sector and every country. India is no exception and there are significant impacts of widespread smuggling and counterfeiting in the country. It not only poses health and safety risks for consumers but it also has negative impact on the economic growth of the nation as it reduces local job growth and lowers tax collections for the government. Study also suggests that money earned from such products are used for funding terrorist organisations thereby affecting the national security. Therefore, CASCADE and CANS make a step for consumers to realise the hazards posed by smuggled and counterfeits and emphasise on the fact that people must stop buying such products. Consumer sensitization is considered as an important catalyst to curb this menace and on this National Consumer Rights Week, 2013 CASCADE and CANS aims to fight the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling with the support of consumers. With the above objective the congregation is organised to engage all relevant stakeholders to light the candles and initiate the pledge to take proactive actions and “Quit Fake” and “Fight Smuggling”.

Youth festival-Youth Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Chandigarh

28/11/2013 | Chandigarh

“Freedom from Fakes and Smuggled goods”

FICCI-CASCADE with support of Education Department, Chandigarh organized a youth festival on 28^th November, 2013 on the theme of “Freedom from Fakes and Smuggled goods” to increase awareness among the youth to fight against the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling. 
Around 150 students took a pledge to take proactive action and “Quit Fake” and “Fight Smuggling”.
Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Member of Parliament & Former Union Railway Minister inaugurated the event and invoked the pledge among students. In his address the MP congratulated FICCI CASCADE for initiating such an important movement and asked the students to actively join this movement in the interest of nation’s economy and security. He observed that the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling is not only harming the industry and the government but also tarnishing the country’s image. He referred to FICCI CASCADE study on “Socio-economic Impact of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Tax evasion in seven key Industry Sectors” and highlighted the sales loss to the industry as Rs. 1,00,000 crores and tax loss to government in the year 2012 as Rs. 26, 190 crores in 7 specific sectors. He further added that theses unscrupulous fellows add to the threat to the national security, further adding the terrorism in the country. Mr. Bansal pointed out the fact that the high rate of taxes in the country is not curtailing the illicit trade; the need of the hour is engagement of law enforcement agencies, youth, and consumers at large. He insisted on the fact that one must ask for a bill while making any purchase.

Mr. V K Singh, Education Secretary & Finance Secretary, Chandigarh delivered the special address. He stated the problem as huge and the end consumer as the main sufferers. He mentioned that consumers are duped because he is not receiving his money’s worth. He highlighted various live examples related to counterfeiting and smuggling and appreciated CASCADE for its work. He said active involvement of students is a great initiative because idea planted in their minds is carried a long way.

The competition focused on the detrimental effects of smuggled, counterfeit and fake goods on the health and safety of consumers, with specific topics like, “Say no to Fakes”, and “Does Black Money encourage crime in society?” The paintings created by the students also brought to fore the steps, which can be taken by consumers to avoid being duped o purchasing these fake products, with topics like “Be responsible: Insist on a bill”.

“Kong Posh”- Fighting Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Srinagar

30/10/2013 | Srinagar

FICCI CASCADE as a part of it Consumer Awareness programmes educates 100’s of people of various categories on the subject of consumer interest. CASCADE believes in the empowerment of consumers  which can be dealt by undertaking a sustainable national programme for generating and strengthening consumer awareness on the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.

FICCI CASCADE organised a Consumer Focus Programme in Srinagar on 30^th October, 2013 to sensitise the consumers on the growing issue of counterfeiting and smuggling.

Seminar on “Kong Posh”- Fighting Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling aimed to highlight the problem of saffron counterfeiting and smuggling to boost saffron production in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir State is predominately an agricultural dependent economy and nearly 80% of its population is engaged in agriculture and allied occupation diversified Agriculture farming. Huge chunk of population depends on the livelihood earned from it. With the advancement of technology and advent of globalisation the market is wide open and there is a lot of open space for the counterfeiters and smugglers, this lays an increasing pressure on the saffron growers. Therefore there is an urgent and increasing necessity to educate the growers and motivate the consumer to be conscious of their safety and quality standards products. The seminar witnessed a huge gathering of around 300 + people. It was inaugurated by Jenab Ghulam Hassan Mir, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Jammu and Kashmir.

With special focus on Kashmir the seminar highlighted the problems faced by the state’s saffron growers due to illegal imports of low quality saffron which is damaging the ‘Kashmir Brand’. Thousands of saffron growers in Kashmir have suffered at the hands of smuggled and counterfeit saffron and are forced to move to other business. Illegal, inferior Iranian saffron has had the most significant impact on the industry. Another problem being faced by the industry is the rising price of saffron due to constant increase in demand. To avoid high import duties, criminals gangs based in the gulf are running mules to carry parcels of the spice in their luggage on international flights.

The Government of India has started National Saffron Mission to enhance the production and strengthen the traders.  Indian saffron is threatened by smuggled saffron coming from different nations.

Following parameters were discussed as a solution to the problem: increase in the area of production, emphasis on the use of technology, certification of the product and quality control measures and authorised outlets.

FICCI CASCADE Conference on Trade in Counterfeit, Pirated and Smuggled Goods – A Threat to India’s National Security and Economy, New Delhi

19/9/2013 | Imperial Hotel, New Delhi

Markets for illicit goods and services are an escalating problem that adversely impact legitimate industries, public health and consumer trust, government revenues and economies as a whole. This conference, organized by the FICCI Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE),with support from Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP), an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will look at the economic consequences of counterfeiting and piracy, and explore what is needed from the public and private sectors to deter this activity.

Discussions will contribute to an integrated vision of State security and public safety, providing an interdisciplinary dialogue which will attract industry regulators, state agencies, customs authorities, law enforcement, major producers of consumer goods, consumer associations and NGO’s. The objective is to deepen the understanding of “grey markets” for counterfeit and pirated commercial goods in India, including the domestic markets for these goods and the export and import of such goods from and to India.

The discussions will assess the impact on government, consumers and legitimate businesses, and promote effective strategies by the public and private sectors to dismantle this illicit activity.

This event will be an opportunity for government officials and experts to exchange views and put forward practical recommendations to resolve the problem of the counterfeiting and piracy in India.

FICCI-CASCADE and NIFT Patna organizes youth festival-Youth Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Patna

29/8/2013 | Patna

FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting  Activities Destroying the Economy)in collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna  organized youth festival on the theme of “Freedom from Fakes and Smuggled goods” to increase awareness among the youth to fight against the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.  Around 200 students took a pledge to take proactive action and “Quit Fake” and “Fight Smuggling”.  Hon’ble Renu Kumari Kushwaha, Minister for Industries and Disaster Management, Government of Bihar inaugurated the event and invoked the pledge among students. In her address the Minister congratulated FICCI CASCADE was initiating such an important movement and asked the students to actively join this movement in the interest of nation’s economy and security. She observed that the menace of counterfeiting smuggling is not only harming the industry and the government but also eating away the moralities of our society.

Inter-School Competition, Jaipur

International engagement with stakeholders, Paris

28/6/2013 | Paris

FICCI CASCADE was represented in various national and international fora over this year. CASCADEreceived accolades for its work on outreach and capacity building with enforcement agencies.

Someof the key forums are:

• OECD workshop on “Assessing the Harms of Illicit Trade”, Paris, October 2012
• INTERPOL training of Police officials of SAARC countries , Mumbai , November 2012
• Membership of Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) , Paris , December 2012
• IP Expo, London, February 2013
• Global Congress on Curbing Counterfeiting and Piracy, Istanbul, April 2013
• GACG Annual Meeting, Beijing, May 2013

World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2013, ParisFICCI CASCADE has earned a Global Recognition Award awarded by the Global Anti-CounterfeitingGroup, Paris in the Association category on the 28th May 2013. This Award is an accolade recognisingFICCI-CASCADE for its work so far which has been achieved with the continued support of the Ministryof Consumer Affairs and is an excellent example of a public-private partnership. This award is theresult of continued and sustained campaign by FICCI CASCADE over the last twelve months.

FICCI-CASCADE Seminar on ‘Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling – An Imperative for Indian Economy, Punjab & Haryana

23/6/2013, Chandigarh

The 10th consultation was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT, Chandigarh, Punjab; Mr.Rajinder Gupta, Chairman FICCI Advisory Council(Northern States) & Chairman Trident Group; Ms. Kalpana Reddy, First Secretary for Intellectual Property, US Patent & Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce; Mr. Raj Chengappa, Editorin-Chief, The Tribune, Chandigarh; Shri P. S. Pruthi, Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise;Mr. Ashok Aggarwal, Advocate General, Punjab; Mr. Alok Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police,Chandigarh, joined the consultation.

Giving a clarion call for taking effective step to curb the flow of fake and counterfeit goods into the market Hon’ble Governor said that it has been adversely affecting the economy of the country. This has become a very complicated problem which can be solved by all those who are involved in the activities of producing commodities and goods, services and intellectual property, traders and media.

He added that consumers must be aware of what they are using and what they are paying for.”Awareness is a better tool for the protection of consumer rights”, Shri Shivraj Patil said. He extended his support by welcoming suggestions from FICCI and promised to put it before the center to find a solution for this problem. The seminar also discussed the role of media in increasing awareness on the subject. He appreciated FICCI for talking up this issue and mentioned that it has a long way in creating awareness and involving enforcement agencies.

Experts exchanged the views and were alarmed at the mushrooming of large and well organized business with some of India largest manufacturer of illegal products supplying over crores of illegal products.

National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics, Faridabad

17/6/2013 | Faridabad

FICCI CASCADE organized a training program at National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics, Faridabad. Mr. P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE gave an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy. He stressed on the urgent need to address the issue, and pointed out the fact that global annual trade has increased many folds and is more than 36 lakhs crore reflecting a 1000% increases in trade. Ms. Meenu Chandra, Head, FICCI CASCADE gave an introduction to IPR Law in India with special emphasis on infringement of certification marks and their impact on customer safety and public health. Ms. Kalpana Reddy, US Embassy, New Delhi, emphasized on protecting consumers from counterfeit products. She said that key to success is the recognition that counterfeiting is a serious crime with many dimensions and strict enforcement of laws and building awareness about counterfeits among the people. Sharing the expertise of US agencies, Ms. Reddy highlighted websites such as Stopfakes.gov, SaferProducts.gov and working of other organizations like Consumer Product Safety Commission, Counterfeit Food and Drugs -US Food and Drug Administration, US FDA Office of Criminal Investigations etc. Representative from Nivea showed distinction between Nivea’s original and counterfeit products.