Fake brands a major challenge

NEW DELHI, Feb 29: The members of FICCI-CASCADE (Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) interacted with members of media to update them on the various activities being undertaken by the committee to deal with the menace of counterfeit, fake and smuggled goods.

With the growth of India’s economy and recognition of Indian brands in the world, new challenges have emerged. The un-hindered growth of counterfeit, fake and smuggled goods is one of the major challenges facing the industry today. This problem is not only hurting the integrity of individual brands but is also having an adverse impact on “Brand India”, in the world market.

Recognizing the urgent need to take measures to counter this growing menace, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), with support from a wide cross-section of industry took the initiative to dedicate a forum by establishing the Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy - CASCADE.

CASCADE’s objectives include, generating awareness on the hazardous impact of smuggled, contraband and counterfeit products on Consumers; conducting research and proposing law reforms, systematic dissemination of enforcement techniques, procedure and strategy through regular workshops for the guidance of its members and sharing the best practices followed globally for combating contraband, smuggled and counterfeit product.

CASCADE, through its various initiatives and coordinated activities with the government, industry and consumer forums is spreading wide-spread awareness about the problem. These include Joint Publicity Campaign with Ministry of Consumer Affairs under their “Jago Grahak Jago” umbrella to create awareness amongst the consumer. Similar awareness campaign with Delhi Government’s “BHAGIDARI” initiative is due to be unleashed to create awareness amongst Citizens and encourage them to be a part of the CASCADE movement.

CASCADE has also commissioned and in-depth research to gather reliable information on the economic impact of illicit trade in counterfeit goods in core sectors of industry with a view to focus on the mode and magnitude of this threat on the country’s economy. CASCADE also continues to facilitate sharing of information and best practices through interactions with Industry, Government and technology providers.

CBEC to Issue Bio-Metric Cards to Custom Agents

MUMBAI, Feb 25: The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) today said it will issue bio-metric cards to custom house agents to check frauds and misuse of services.

"Bio-metric smart cards will be issued first in Mumbai in all the three Customs zones. Once this is rolled out, a fraudulent person will not be able to file the documents anywhere in the city as his fingerprint will not match and his photo will be flashed across all zones. Also, a wrong person cannot take delivery of the cargo, so this will reduce the incidences of frauds," according to CBEC chairman SK Goel.

He said there were about 10 cases of frauds with regard to contraband selling of red sandalwood which prompted this initiative.

"There were many cases of frauds relating to the red sandalwood, so we thought of this idea," he said.

"We have already prepared 10,000 bio-metric cards for Mumbai and will also make 15,000 more cards for the custom house agents and their employees. So in all, we will be issuing 25,000 bio-metric cards," Goel added.

The cards will also be rolled out nationally after seeing the response here. "Once this system is successful in Mumbai, we will replicate it in other places also. Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have already expressed interest," Goel said.

The CBEC has invested Rs 92 lakh in the project and expects to recover the cost when they issue the cards. The bio-metric smart cards will be issued for Rs 500 each, replacing the earlier laminated plastic cards that were given at Rs 50.

When asked that if the Aadhar cards can be used instead of these smart cards, Goel said, "when the Aadhar card is made available to all the people, then we will think of integrating this with the Aadhar card or develop it on the same model."