Seminar on Strengthening Security: Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

13^th November 2025|10.30 am – 01.00 pm | The Park Hotel, Kolkata

FICCI CASCADE has consistently played a catalytic role in spotlighting the multifaceted risks posed by illicit trade and galvanising collective action against it. With counterfeiting and smuggling increasingly impacting public health, consumer safety, and economic stability, CASCADE has been driving nationwide engagement through a series of pan-India awareness and capacity-building seminars. Continuing this sustained outreach, FICCI CASCADE organised a seminar titled “Strengthening Security: Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 13^th November 2025 in Kolkata, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on effective countermeasures.

Mr. Biplab Mitra, Minister-in-Charge, Consumer Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He highlighted that counterfeiting and smuggling not only undermine legitimate businesses but also exploit consumers by exposing them to unsafe and substandard products. Emphasising that the protection of consumer rights is fundamental to building a fair and transparent marketplace, he called for a collective and coordinated effort involving government agencies, industry, and civil society. He noted that awareness and vigilance remain the most effective tools to ensure that consumers are not victimised by illicit trade.

Mr. Mitra further underscored the Government of West Bengal’s strong commitment to safeguarding consumer interests through close coordination with law enforcement agencies, industry stakeholders, and local communities. He opined that the state is increasingly leveraging technology and intelligence-led surveillance to detect and deter illicit activities, particularly in border and coastal regions. He also commended FICCI CASCADE for its sustained efforts in empowering consumers and fostering collaboration to counter the growing threats posed by counterfeit and smuggled goods.

Highlighting the importance of robust governance in tackling illicit trade, Mr. Tirthankar Halder, Special Secretary, Consumer Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, while addressing the seminar, reiterated the state’s commitment to strengthening consumer protection and enhancing enforcement coordination to curb illicit trade in the region.

Ms. Sonali Ghosal, Co-Chair, FICCI West Bengal State Council and Managing Director, Nightingale Group of Companies, accentuated that illicit activities such as counterfeiting and smuggling are not merely regulatory or legal violations, but reflect deeper structural challenges that disrupt manufacturing ecosystems, undermine the rule of law, and divert the benefits of economic development away from legitimate stakeholders.

Mr. P.C. Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, CBIC, delivered an in-depth presentation outlining the landscape of illicit trade practices, their analysis, and broader implications. He highlighted that illicit trade poses a direct threat to India’s tax framework by depriving the government of vital revenues required for nation-building. He stated that counterfeiting and smuggling distort fair competition, erode the tax base, and weaken the formal economy. Emphasising India’s ambition to achieve a $5 trillion economy, he underscored the need to strengthen compliance, reinforce GST enforcement mechanisms, and plug revenue leakages. He further stressed that sustained coordination among tax authorities, enforcement agencies, and industry stakeholders is essential to protect both consumers and the public exchequer.

The panel discussion on the theme “Policies to Prevent Counterfeiting and Smuggling” explored key regulatory, enforcement, and collaborative measures needed to curb illicit trade and protect legitimate markets. Addressing the session, Mr. K. Ramakrishnan, Additional Director General, Kolkata Zonal Unit, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), emphasised that combating counterfeiting and smuggling is central to DRI’s mandate of protecting India’s economic security. He shed light on the fact that such illicit activities result in significant revenue losses for the government, distort fair trade, and pose serious risks to consumer safety. Highlighting the role of intelligence-led enforcement and coordinated action, he reaffirmed DRI’s commitment to dismantling organised smuggling networks, intercepting counterfeit goods, and strengthening collaboration and public awareness to preserve the integrity of India’s markets.

Mr. Vidit Raj Bhundesh, Deputy Commissioner (Detective Department), Kolkata Police, highlighted that the growing menace of counterfeiting and smuggling poses a serious threat not only to the economy but also to public safety and national security. He emphasised that the police play an important frontline role in detecting, investigating, and dismantling illicit networks that often operate across state boundaries and international borders. He further underscored the need to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms, enhance inter-agency coordination, and build specialised capacities within law enforcement to effectively respond to the evolving nature of these crimes. He added that sustained collaboration with industry and other stakeholders is equally essential to disrupt supply chains and curb illicit trade at its source.

Mr. Ashish Paul, Vice President- Corporate Affairs, ITC Ltd., highlighted that every smuggled cigarette sold not only deprives the nation of vital revenue but also fuels organised crime. He stressed the need to change prevailing mindsets, strengthen enforcement, and support a fair and lawful industry. He further mentioned that the legal cigarette industry in India is under significant pressure from illicit and counterfeit trade. Despite being a highly regulated product, factors such as high taxation and misinformation about legal products are pushing consumers towards illegal alternatives, adversely affecting public health and the economy.

Other key panellists included Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police; Mr. Harsh V. Agarwal, Executive Director, Oriplast and Member, FICCI; Mr. Sandeep Sengupta, Director, Indian School of Ethical Hacking (ISOEH) and Mr. Supriyo Ghosh, Partner, Girish Chandra Ghosh & G.G.S.

The programme witnessed an enthusiastic participation from over 200 stakeholders, including industry experts, government officials, enforcement agencies, and informed consumers. Their active engagement contributed to meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing, while also benefiting from insights on the emerging developments, challenges, and collaborative strategies to combat illicit trade.