FICCI-CASCADE Seminar on Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling – An Imperative for Indian Economy, UTTAR PRADESH

25/7/2012 | Lucknow

The 1st consultation at Lucknow on July 25th, 2012 flagged off the nationwide awareness building campaign to highlight the issues on the growing menace of counterfeit and smuggling. The seminar was presided by Dr.Arbind Prasad, Director General, FICCI, Shri DilipAwasthi, Resident Editor, Jagran Group, Shri Ajay Dixit, Commissioner- Customs, Lucknow (UP), Ms.Kalpana Reddy, First Secretary for Intellectual Property, US Embassy, New Delhi, Shri Vijay Acharya, President, Bharat Jyoti Foundation joined the consultation.

The objective of the event was to spread awareness about the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting. The event further helped sensitize the various stakeholders in the state of U.P on the problem of smuggling and counterfeiting and how it is not only affecting the economy but also poses a serious threat to our lives.

The seminar witnessed enthusiastic interaction where the delegate present demonstrated active interest in the issue concerned. Mr. Harsh Chawla, Trader, informed the gathering with the fact that the magnitude of the problem of counterfeiting in U.P. is high. Cigarettes are sold in the market for Re. 1 while the current tax structure does not allow any legal product to be sold below Rs. 250. The increasing volume of illicit trade encourages entry of organized criminals and leads to generation of huge black money. Issues have been raised in the past by media but manufacturing units are still running and evading huge amount of taxes.

Another delegate Mr.Aslam Ahmed, Advocate, Corporate Laws and IPR Laws brought the problem of distress on taxation between Government and public under notice. Mr. Dixit, Commissioner – Customs, Lucknow further added that implementation of IPR Act does not entail any revenue rather it is to avoid the sufferings of the economy. Mr.Jha, Advisor FICCI CASCADE emphasized on the role of the media to spread awareness among the public and taking the problem of consumers ahead

Another delegate from Unilever put forward a question on the seizures by customs stating that the seizures are more in Southern and Western part of country than in North and how to fill the gap between the import authorities and the companies. Commissioner of Customs welcomed information from companies which could help them detect counterfeit products.

Several suggestions were given by the delegates like disparity of taxes must be avoided by the Government to reduce smuggling; awareness must be spread among the consumers about the importance of cash memo and also manufacturer must come up with scheme for the consumers to detect counterfeit products. FICCI CASCADE should initiate a National helpline to register the cases of illicit trade. Also, Economic Court must be established as judges are reluctant to hear cases of economic offences.