Illicit trade is no longer a fringe concern, it is a systemic threat to consumer safety, public health, and economic integrity. Recognising the urgency of collective action, FICCI CASCADE organised a seminar titled “Protecting Consumers: Addressing the Threat of Smuggling and Counterfeiting” on Wednesday, 8th April 2026 at FICCI, Federation House, New Delhi, bringing together senior policymakers, judicial leaders, enforcement officials, industry representatives, and consumer organisations to deliberate on effective strategies to combat the growing menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.

Inaugural Session: Advancing Consumer Protection through Stronger Policy and Institutional Frameworks

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, delivered a special video address during the programme. In his address, the Minister described illicit trade as a “shadow economy” that poses serious challenges to consumer welfare, businesses, and the nation’s economy.

The Hon’ble Minister stated that smuggling and counterfeiting expose consumers to unsafe, substandard, and even toxic products, undermine honest businesses, and erode government revenues that could otherwise be invested in public welfare and infrastructure. Emphasising that the objective is not merely consumer protection but consumer prosperity, he highlighted initiatives such as the Central Consumer Protection Authority, the National Consumer Helpline, and the Jago Grahak Jago campaign as key pillars in empowering citizens.

Calling for a broader coalition to combat illicit trade, the Hon’ble Minister underscored that when a product is fake, it represents a betrayal of consumer trust. He stressed that addressing this challenge requires shared responsibility and collective action from the government, industry, and society at large.

Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, noted that consumer protection has evolved from awareness-building initiatives to a technology-enabled ecosystem. Highlighting significant improvements in grievance redressal mechanisms, the Secretary stated that resolution timelines have been reduced from 63 days to around 21 days, and in some online cases, to as little as 72 hours.

Speaking on the role of digital platforms, Ms. Khare observed that while e-commerce platforms operate at a vast scale and require continuous regulatory oversight, they are increasingly taking proactive measures to curb the sale of counterfeit products. Emphasising the need for a comprehensive and collaborative response, Ms. Khare underscored the importance of strengthening quality standards, supporting MSMEs, enhancing platform accountability, and reinforcing enforcement efforts across both digital and physical marketplaces.

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, while delivering the welcome address, stated that advancing consumer protection today requires a decisive shift from a reactive approach to a preventive, structured and forward-looking system. Emphasising the government of India’s significant steps through the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority, and initiatives like ‘Jago Grahak Jago’, Mr. Rajput underscored that the evolving nature of illicit trade demands stronger implementation and deeper institutional coordination. Better intelligence-sharing across agencies, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and greater use of technology are needed to detect and prevent violations. A whole-of-society approach bringing together government, industry and consumers is essential to effectively combat smuggling and counterfeiting.

Mr. P C Jha, Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, provided a comprehensive enforcement and governance perspective, stressing that consumer protection must be seen as an integral pillar of economic policy. Mr. Jha concluded that dismantling the financial networks behind profit-driven crimes such as smuggling and counterfeiting is critical to effectively combating these activities, rather than merely intercepting consignments.

Panel Discussion: Empowering the Power of Consumers in the Fight Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting

Mr. Hem Kumar Pande, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE highlighted that consumer empowerment is rooted in fundamental rights such as safety, information, choice, and grievance redressal. He also emphasized that consumers must exercise responsibility through awareness, ethical conduct, and informed decision-making.

Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convener, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, noted that strong economic measures can significantly contribute to curbing illegal and terror-linked activities. He stressed the need to strengthen and modernise Customs infrastructure to effectively combat smuggling and counterfeiting.

Prof. Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, Consumer Online Foundation, underscored the importance of consumer awareness, quality assurance, and stronger policy interventions in tackling illicit trade. He emphasized that consumer protection requires a balanced approach involving enforcement, awareness, and consumer participation.

Ms. Pushpa Girimaji, Author, Columnist, and Consumer Rights & Safety Specialist, highlighted the serious health and safety risks posed by counterfeit and smuggled products. She emphasized leveraging digital platforms and social media to create greater consumer awareness, particularly among the youth.

Dr. Anant Sharma, National Chairman, Consumer Federation of India,
identified lack of awareness, price sensitivity, and limited availability of genuine products as key drivers of counterfeit consumption. He advocated product innovation, fair pricing, and balanced taxation to reduce demand for illicit goods.

Ms. Anindita Mehta, CEO, Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), and Vice President, Consumers, encouraged consumers to verify the price, quality, and source of products before purchase. She emphasized that awareness and education remain the most effective tools for reducing demand for counterfeit and smuggled goods.

Prof. Deepak Gupta, Founder and Chief Research & Innovation Officer, Checko.ai, and Retired Professor, IIT Kanpur, highlighted the growing importance of technology-driven product authentication systems in consumer protection. He noted India’s potential to emerge as a global leader in anti-counterfeiting innovations.

Interactive Session: Judicial Power & Policy: Advancing Consumer Protection Through Stronger Robust Measures Against Illicit Trade

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Manmohan Sarin, Former Lokayukta, NCT of Delhi, Former Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, Former Judge, High Court of Delhi and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE, emphasized the importance of instilling awareness, ethics, and responsible consumer behaviour among young people. He observed that educating the younger generation is critical to effectively combating illicit trade.

Hon’ble Ms. Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, President, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, stated that informed consumers serve as the first line of defence against illicit trade, while an active judiciary ensures effective enforcement. She stressed the need for empowered citizens, responsive institutions, and strong legal frameworks.

Mr. K.P. Sunder Rao, Advocate, highlighted the consumer-friendly provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the increasing accessibility of consumer courts. He emphasized the importance of public awareness in ensuring effective utilisation of consumer rights and remedies.

Panel Discussion: Accelerating Action Against Illicit Trade Identify, Analyse and Respond for Stronger Consumer Protection

Mr. Anil Sinha, Former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE, observed that counterfeiting and smuggling pose serious threats not only to the economy but also to public health and safety. He highlighted the importance of awareness initiatives in building an informed and vigilant consumer base.

Ms. Padma Jaiswal, IAS, Secretary to the Government of NCT Delhi (Administrative Reforms), emphasized the need for strong inter-agency coordination and preventive measures across supply chains to combat illicit trade. She also stressed the importance of integrating small and medium enterprises into the formal economy.

Mr. Devesh Chandra Srivastava, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police Crime, Delhi Police, advocated stronger legal deterrents and enhanced collaboration between industry and enforcement agencies. He highlighted the role of actionable intelligence and timely complaints in dismantling illicit trade networks.

Mr. Dheeraj Rastogi, Principal Commissioner of Customs, ACC (Import), New Delhi stressed the importance of trademark registration and active cooperation between brand owners and Customs authorities. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in strengthening customs enforcement.

Colonel Archit Goswami, SM, Assam Rifles, underscored the significance of community engagement and local participation in combating smuggling. He noted that human intelligence and trusted local networks remain critical tools in identifying and disrupting illicit trade routes.

The seminar highlighted that combating smuggling and counterfeiting requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving consumer awareness, judicial effectiveness, regulatory strength, and technology-driven enforcement. A key takeaway across sessions was the need to move beyond fragmented interventions towards a cohesive, ecosystem-based response involving government, industry, and consumers. The discussions reinforced that empowering consumers remains central to addressing illicit trade, while collaboration and innovation will be critical in building a safer and more transparent marketplace.