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Smuggling, counterfeiting more dangerous than cancer and COVID, says Bihar minister
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IANS | 06 Dec, 2022
Bihar's Industry Minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth on Tuesday said that the
problem of counterfeiting and smuggling is complex in nature.
"With no legal regulation and very little recourse, consumers are at risk from unsafe and ineffective products," he said.
It
is important that consumers understand the multi-faceted complexities
of this problem. Youth are the consumers of tomorrow, who can encourage
and bring about the required change through their choices and
behaviours, he added.
Addressing the FICCI CASCADE (Committee
Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy)
programme on 'Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and
Smuggling', Mahaseth emphasised that educating and generating awareness
about the ill effects of counterfeiting and smuggling is the need of
hour to combat this global scourge.
He further suggested FICCI CASCADE to organise such youth awareness programme in Bihar more frequently to motivate the youth of the state in achieving our objective in making India free from illicit trade. "Smuggling and counterfeiting are more dangerous than life threatening diseases like cancer and COVID," he added.
Dipak
Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Education, Bihar
government, said, "Uninhibited growth of counterfeiting and smuggling
not only impact the economy of our country but also poses severe threat
to public health and safety."
Smuggling and counterfeiting leads
to tax evasion which further slows down the pace of development of the
country. He also emphasised the need to take a bill while making any
purchase, to act as proof of purchase.
P.C. Jha, Advisor, FICCI
CASCADE and former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes &
Customs said, "Illicit trade is of grave concern, it undermines the
nation's economy, damages brand integrity, and most importantly affects
health and safety of the citizens which needs to be addressed on an
urgent basis. During the last 20 years, the volume of counterfeiting
activity globally has increased 100 times and the size of trade is 10
per cent of the legal international trade (around 2 per cent of the
world's overall economic output). The problem of illicit trade is much
more serious than it is commonly perceived."
Rajiva Ranjan Verma,
former Director General, RPF, NCRB, Civil Defence, Home Guard &
Fire Services and BPR&D, said, "Raising awareness is an important
aspect of combating illicit trade in terms of smuggling and
counterfeiting which needs to be pursued vigorously."
The role of youth is paramount in battling the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting, he noted.
The
Minister also felicitated schoolchildren for the inter-school
competition organised by FICCI CASCADE on the theme 'Role of Youth in
Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting'. The competition
witnessed enthusiastic participation of students from over 40 schools of
Patna.
The seminar discussed the importance of increased
awareness on the hazards of counterfeiting and smuggling, and the need
for effective enforcement to enhance India's economic development.
The
seminar also deliberated on FICCI CASCADE's recent report titled
Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests, which examines the
impact of illicit trade in five key industries in India - Mobile Phones,
FMCG-Household and Personal Goods, FMCG-Packaged Foods, Tobacco
Products and Alcoholic Beverages.
The market for contraband and
smuggled goods is thriving in India and is today one of the biggest
challenges being faced by Indian industry.
The country is
witnessing widespread smuggling in various product categories such as
gold, cigarettes, cosmetics, medicines, jewellery, readymade garments,
alcohol, capital goods and consumer electronics, which is severely
hurting the country's economy.
The problem gets more acute in
states like Bihar as several of its districts share borders with Nepal
and smugglers easily get products into the country and distribute them
in the domestic market.
FICCI has set up a committee CASCADE,
with the participation of leading industries from all sectors of the
economy to raise awareness against this issue and work with government
and other agencies to fight the menace.
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