Past Events

Capacity Building Programme on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

December 16, 2022 | Goa

The magnitude of the problem of counterfeiting, and smuggling is widespread which demands emphasis and priority of enforcement agencies. Capacity building is an ongoing exercise that plays an instrumental role in motivating and enabling the law enforcement agencies to understand the gravity of the problem and take requisite actions against the perpetrators.

There are adequate laws available, but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers very important to fight against counterfeiting, and smuggling.

Therefore, to combat the socio-economic evils of illicit trade from the society, which are risky parasites to the economy and cause danger to the lives of individuals, FICCI CASCADE is organising a training program to sensitize the police officers of Goa on 16th December 2022.

Youth Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting :School Competition Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting

5 December 2022 | Inter- School Competition, Patna, Bihar

FICCI CASCADE organized a youth competition on the theme “Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting” on 5th December 2022 at Bankipur Girls High School. The programme was divided into three competitions: Painting, Elocution and Jingle Writing. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 350+ children from 40 leading schools in Patna. The competition was meant to generate awareness among the country’s youth and seek their support in addressing the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling to strengthen the fight against illicit trade. It saw a plethora of ideas, innovative expressions, talent and content exhibited in way of speech, art and write ups.

Winners of the competition were

Capacity Building Programme for Chhattisgarh Police Officers

11^th January 2023| Chhattisgarh

The magnitude of the problem of counterfeiting, and smuggling is widespread which demands emphasis and priority of enforcement agencies. Capacity building is an ongoing exercise that plays an instrumental role in motivating and enabling the law enforcement agencies to understand the gravity of the problem and take requisite actions against the perpetrators.

There are adequate laws available, but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers very important to fight against counterfeiting, and smuggling.

Therefore, to combat the socio-economic evils of illicit trade from the society, which are risky parasites to the economy and cause danger to the lives of individuals, FICCI CASCADE is organising a training program to sensitize the police officers of Chhattisgarh on 11^th January 2023.

Seminar on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

10^th January 2023| Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, Raipur 

FICCI CASCADE believes that awareness and outreach is an essential element in building a proactive strategy to curb counterfeiting and smuggling. With this view, FICCI CASCADE is organising a seminar on “Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 10^th January 2023 at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, Raipur.  The objective of this seminar is to focus on spreading awareness and enabling a dialogue between the stakeholders on the alarming magnitude of smuggling and counterfeiting and exterminating this demon from the society. There is a need for consumers to demand their right of genuine and authentic products; the seminar aims to awake the stakeholders on this menace. 

Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting

9^th January 2023| Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus, Junwani, Bhilai

Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling the problem of smuggling and counterfeiting which is a serious menace to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, we have also been working closely with the youth in our fight to address this issue through various interschool and intercollege competitions and programmes. 

FICCI CASCADE believes that it is important to bring the youth onboard the awareness campaign and through them influence the society as a whole. It will help in empowering and strengthening them to act for national development and will also help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.

In our endeavour, to sensitize the young minds on the need to work together to address the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE is organizing an Inter-School/College Competition on “Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting” on 9^th January 2023 at Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus, Junwani, Bhilai. 

The programme will have competitions among the students of various schools/colleges in Patna in the following/categories:

1. Painting Competition   (For School Students) 
2. Elocution Competition  (For School Students)
3. Jingle Writing Competition (For College Students)

Capacity Building Programme on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

Focus state: GOA|16^th December 2022

Across the globe, illicit networks are infiltrating and corrupting legitimate business markets, reducing productivity, and dis-incentivizing investments, jeopardizing public health and eroding the security of our nation. Illicit trade is an increasingly growing global concern which is threatening India’s legal industry, adding social cost to the consumers and causing huge loss to the exchequers. India today had the potential to become a global manufacturing hub. However, widespread smuggling and counterfeiting act as a dampener in achieving this goal. It is time that India, as a nation and as a part of the global economy, call for strict and resolute enforcement actions against such activities.

Shri Jaspal Singh IPS, Director General of Police, Goa was the chief guest at the programme. Shri Singh informed that awareness is the first step towards enforcement as the problem of trade in illicit products emanates from the lack of awareness. Counterfeiting and Smuggling have developed into a substantial threat to the economy globally, this is the biggest challenge and needs to be addressed at a priority with effective enforcement of laws as a key to curb the menace.

While giving an overview on socio-economic impact of counterfeiting and smuggling, Mr. Deep Chand IPS, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi stated that lack of stringent enforcement, weak surveillance and weak regulatory framework are the main factors responsible for illicit trade. He opined that the wider social, investment and criminal enforcement costs due to smuggling and counterfeiting could touch $4.2 trillion putting at risk 5.4 million legitimate jobs.

Mr. Chand further stated that as per the FICCI CASCADE’s recent report titled “Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests”, the unlawful trade in the five key industries (Mobile Phones, FMCG-Household and Personal Goods, FMCG-Packaged Foods, Tobacco Products, and Alcoholic Beverages) results in a total estimated legitimate employment loss of 15.96 lakh. The estimated size of illicit market was ₹2,60,094 crore for the year 2019-20 and the tax loss to the government in these industries was Rs 58,521 crore, with two highly regulated and taxed industries, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages, accounting for nearly 49% of the overall tax loss.

Mr.  Pradeep Dixit, Executive Vice President – Industry Affairs, ITC Ltd. stated that India is the 4th largest and fastest growing market for smuggling of illegal cigarettes, which calls for heightened awareness and sensitization of people in the society. Generating mass awareness amongst the consumers is an important mean to curtail the hazards of growing illicit trade, added Mr Dixit.

Mr. Ashish Sawant, Assistant Manager, Global Brand Protection, APAC Region, Johnson & Johnson highlighted that counterfeit products have a detrimental impact on both the manufacturers and consumers.  It poses severe risk to company’s reputation, brand image and negatively affect the consumers’ confidence in the global market. It also affects businesses and consumers alike by sowing mistrust in genuine products made by reputable brands.

Ms. Sucheta Dessai, SP, Goa Police mentioned that smuggled & counterfeit products are a serious concern to the economy and the society at large, hurting the integrity of the brand, reducing employment opportunities and most importantly, threating health and safety. There is vital need for the policy makers, enforcement agencies and industry to be on the front foot, to tackle it.

FICCI CASCADE has been over the years working closely with government, industry, enforcement officials, legal fraternity, consumer organizations and the youth to create awareness on the adverse impact of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling.  Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.

Awareness Programme on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

6 December 2022| L. N. Mishra Institute of Economic Development & Social Change, Patna

The unrelenting growth of illicit trade through Counterfeiting and Smuggling is a global problem of enormous scale, impacting virtually every industry sector around the world. Illicit trade in counterfeit and smuggled goods dampens the economy in multidimensional ways and the problem has been aggravated by globalization and increased mobility. 

In order to spread awareness on the issue of illicit trade, FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) in association with the Government of Bihar is organizing an awareness programme on ‘Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling’ on 6^th December 2022 at L. N. Mishra Institute of Economic Development & Social Change, Patna, Bihar.

Youth Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting :School Competition Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting

5 December 2022 | Bankipur Girls High School, Infront of Divisional Commissioner’s office, Patna, Bihar

Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling the problem of smuggling and counterfeiting which is a serious menace to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, we have also been working closely with the youth in our fight to address this issue through various interschool and intercollege competitions and programmes.

FICCI CASCADE believes that it is important to bring the youth onboard the awareness campaign and through them influence the society as a whole. It will help in empowering and strengthening them to act for national development and will also help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.

In our endeavour, to sensitize the young minds on the need to work together to address the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE is organizing a Youth Awareness Programme on “Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting” on 5 December 2022 at Bankipur Girls High School, Patna, Bihar.

The programme will have competitions among the students of various schools in Patna in the following/categories:

• Painting Competition
• Elocution Competition
• Jingle Writing Competition

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling Focus State: Lucknow

28 November 2022 | Sangoshthi Sadan, Police Line, Lucknow

India is a victim of large-scale smuggling and counterfeiting web, entangling not only our legal industry and economy, but also the consumers who are exposed to grave risks to life and security. The costs of these illicit activities are not only real but are huge. FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) has been working concertedly with the enforcement officers across the nation to sensitize them and raise awareness on this very important issue. With this objective, FICCI CASCADE organized the “Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers of Uttar Pradesh on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 28 November 2022 at Lucknow.

Mr. Nilabja Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime and Hq, Lucknow was the chief guest at the programme. Mr. Chaudhary mentioned that the Police Department plays a significant role in ensuring the protection of legitimate businesses from illicit market operators. He highlighted that the Uttar Pradesh police actively seize products such as fake medicines, currency notes, cigarettes and liquor, which have direct repercussions on the law and order and public health and safety. The police department has seen a renewed spate of counterfeit cases in food and beverage industry in the past few months, particularly counterfeit edible oil at Farrukhabad Mandi.

Mr. Chaudhary accentuated that illicit trade, in terms of counterfeiting and smuggling, is among one of the factors that is impeding growth of the economy in multidimensional ways. He emphasized the need for a continuous dialogue with industry association like FICCI in order to make the public aware about the magnitude of the problem and promote fair trade practices to contribute greater equity in trade.  Capacity building programme in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology is essential for the law enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation of crimes relating to counterfeiting and smuggling. He suggested that coordinated efforts of the government, industry bodies and enforcement agencies are therefore needed to control the spread of this growing menace.

While giving an overview on socio-economic impact of counterfeiting and smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi stated that the grey market is fueling illegitimate industry which is leading to an increased criminalization in the society. This capacity building program is aimed to sensitize the UP police officers on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled products.

He further stated that as per the FICCI CASCADE’s recent report titled “Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests”, the unlawful trade in the five key industries (Mobile Phones, FMCG-Household and Personal Goods, FMCG-Packaged Foods, Tobacco Products, and Alcoholic Beverages) results in a total estimated legitimate employment loss of 15.96 lakh. The estimated tax loss to the government due to illicit goods in these industries is Rs 58,521 crore, with two highly regulated and taxed industries, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages, accounting for nearly 49% of the overall tax loss.

Col Atul Yadav, General Manager- North, Industry Affairs, ITC Ltd. opined that illegal activities such as counterfeiting and smuggling are flooding the market with substandard fake and smuggled products which are produced without following quality norms at unhygienic places, and are sold illegally, thus contributing towards increase in unaccounted money. A major driver for the rampant increase of smuggling is high taxes which create a significant arbitrage to fuel such activities. The extent of smuggling in the country is a cause of great concern. However, to effectively tackle the growing menace of smuggling in India, a lot more needs to be done to make the compliance and processes more robust and detection of such crime easier, he added.

Mr. Gagan Rajpurohit, Legal Counsel, HUL Central Region and Mr. Devesh Pandey, Brand Protection Consultant, HUL discussed about various types of counterfeits products available in the market, how to identify them and the powers of police in search & seizure. They discussed practical challenges faced by the industry and how industry and police can work collaboratively to curb the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.

Ms. Aashita Agarwal, Manager, Public Policy discussed Amazon’s efforts in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customer’s trust. She said that Amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring the empowerment of consumers to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks the digital era may present.

 FICCI CASCADE has been over the years working closely with government, industry, enforcement officials, legal fraternity, consumer organizations and the youth to create awareness on the adverse impact of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling.  Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.

Seminar on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

November 8, 2022 | Hotel Ramada Plaza, Guindy, Chennai

Technological advent, fast communication channels and globalisation have given impetus to the exponential growth of illicit trade in dangerous forms such as counterfeiting and smuggling. According to the World Economic Forum, the economic leakage from illicit trade creates an annual drain on the global economy of $2.2 trillion, which is nearly 3% of the world’s economy. FICCI CASCADE believes that awareness and outreach is an essential element in building a proactive strategy to curb this growing menace of counterfeiting and smuggling. With this view, FICCI CASCADE organised a seminar on “Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 8th November 2022 at Hotel Ramada Plaza, Guindy, Chennai. The objective of the seminar was to focus on spreading awareness and enabling a dialogue between the stakeholders on the alarming magnitude of illicit trade to exterminate this demon from the society.

Dr. G S K Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Trivitron / Neuberg Group of Companies in his welcome address said the existence and operation of counterfeiting and smuggling are broad in scope and large in value impacting not only the global economy causing losses to both industry and government, but also adversely affecting consumer health and safety and hugely funding terror activities across the globe. He emphasized that the consumers must ask for a bill while making any purchase in order to make India a tax complaint nation and encouraged citizens to be a part of progressive nation building.

Mr. P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) while outlining the landscape of illicit trade practices, highlighted that FICCI CASCADE’s recent report titled “Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests” examines the impact of illicit trade in five key industries in India namely Mobile Phones, FMCG-Household and Personal Goods, FMCG-Packaged Foods, Tobacco Products, and Alcoholic Beverages. According to the report, he said that the size of illicit market in the above-mentioned industries was ₹2,60,094 crore for the year 2019-20, with the FMCG industry — household and personal goods, and packaged foods together accounting for 3/4th of the total illicit value of goods in five key industries. The report further estimates that unlawful trade in the five above-mentioned industries results in a total estimated legitimate employment loss of 15.96 lakh. The estimated tax loss to the government due to illicit goods in these industries is Rs 58,521 crore, with two highly regulated and taxed industries, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages, accounting for nearly 49% of the overall tax loss.

Thiru. R. SAKKARAPANI, Hon’ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu was the chief guest at the programme. In his inaugural address he suggested that FICCI CASCADE should organize awareness programs in educational institutions and extensively involve the youth in this fight against illicit trade. He further urged FICCI CASCADE to propagate the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling on social media channels, newspapers and other promotional sources in order to make the general public aware of this alarming issue.

Hon’ble Minister informed that the stringent actions by the government and enforcement agencies in the state of Tamil Nadu has reduced smuggling of watches, gold, alcohol and Indian currency, to a considerable extent, but there’s a lot that still needs to be done.

Mr. Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Indira Projects
in his concluding remarks said that counterfeiting and smuggling is damaging national progress by impacting its financial, social and physical health across the globe. There is vital need for the policy makers, enforcement agencies and industry to be on the front foot, to tackle it.

The seminar generated discussions on the policies to prevent counterfeiting and smuggling among senior officials including Mr. G. Ravindranath, Principal Commissioner, Chennai Customs, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police, Chennai, Ms. S. Saroja, Executive Director – Consumer Advisory and Outreach Vertical, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) and Mr. Amrith Lal, Convenor, FICCI Tamil Nadu Finance & Taxation Panel and Senior Partner, KRT & Co.

Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi while chairing the session said that increasing the rule of law and enhancing effectiveness of penalties and sanctions is important to curb the mounting hazards of counterfeiting and smuggling. It is imperative that businesses should take proper steps to protect consumers from the proliferation of scammers and infringers that seek to take advantage of the situation. He mentioned that capacity building in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology among the enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation of crimes will play an important role in making a conducive environment, free of illicit markets.

Mr. G. Ravindranath, Principal Commissioner, Chennai Customs said that smuggling is a transborder and transnational crime. It destabilizes the legal industry, restrain innovation and investment, reduces government revenues and hampers the health and safety of consumers. Therefore, strict enforcement plays a very important role in curbing this menace.

“Customs and border control agencies are playing a proactive role in preventing illicit trade and disrupting transnational smuggling operations. Indian customs have built a legal and administrative system, pioneering the implementation of automation, risk management and data analytics to combat illicit trade”, he added. Creating public awareness, increasing surveillance, coordination and concerted efforts are required amongst various stakeholders, enforcement agencies, industry, partnership with private stakeholders and consumers can help counter the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling, Mr. Ravindranath suggested.

Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police, Chennai highlighted that the online sale of counterfeit products counts to $323 billion, out of which $ 98 billion accounts to consumer goods. Counterfeits in pharmaceuticals is a major issue affecting public health, and healthcare systems around the globe. Trade-in pharmaceutical counterfeits during COVID 19 spiked majorly in products such as vaccines, medicines, test kits, antibiotics, face masks and sanitizers. He also mentioned that illicit trade is a national threat, through which black money is generated which further funds organised crime like terrorism.

Ms. S. Saroja, Executive Director – Consumer Advisory and Outreach Vertical, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) highlighted the need for continuous awareness generation to educate the consumers on the potential risks and detrimental impact of buying and using counterfeit, fake, spurious and smuggled products.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 120 industry captains, representative from consumer forums, lawyers, government officials and other stakeholders.

There is a need for consumers to demand their right of genuine and authentic products the seminar aims to awake the stakeholders on this menace.