Counterfeiting, smuggling poses significant health, safety threats to consumers: Commissioner, Muzaffarpur, Govt of Bihar

Apr 06, 2023

• Government suffers tax loss of Rs 58,521 crore due to illicit trade in five key Indian Industries - FICCI CASCADE Report

• Products which cause maximum revenue loss to the exchequer: FMCG-packaged foods (Rs 17,074 crore), alcoholic beverages (Rs 15,262 crore) and tobacco products (Rs 13,331 crore)

• Illicit market in 5 industries, including mobile phones, FMCG-household and personal goods, FMCG-packaged foods, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages is valued at Rs 2,60,094 crore

MUZAFFARPUR, 06 April 2023: Mr Gopal Meena, Commissioner, Muzaffarpur, Govt of Bihar yesterday said, "Counterfeiting and smuggling poses significant health, safety threats to consumers and such awareness programs will play a pivotal role in protecting them from the hazards posed by illicit trade."

Addressing the FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) program on 'Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling' Mr Meena stated that before buying any product consumer should check the originality of the product by using the advance technological solutions such as bar codes, QR codes, holograms etc. He further urged them to take strong and effective measures to combat this growing menace.

Mr Pankaj Sinha, Inspector General of Police, Bihar said, "Smuggling and counterfeiting impacts the economic stability of the country. India has vast porous borders which further adds to the problem of smuggling. Effective enforcement action, increased border management, better surveillance mechanisms, latest technology, enhanced consumer awareness and more youth engagement are few measures to address the twin hazards of smuggling and counterfeiting."

Mr Pranav Kumar, Collector, Muzaffarpur said, "Awareness is the key to eradicate the growing menace of illicit trade impacting our day-to-day life, which needs to be addressed on a priority. He emphasized to ask a bill while making a purchase to safeguard the consumers from being duped by illicit market operators.  He congratulated FICCI CASCADE for taking the initiative to spread knowledge and empower the public by organizing such an enlightening seminar in the state of Bihar.

Mr Rajiva Ranjan Verma, Former Director General, RPF, NCRB, Civil Defense, 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 Commissioner also felicitated School Children 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 over 280 students from 30 schools of Muzaffarpur, Bihar.  The list of the awardees are as follows:

Winners	Extempore Competition	Painting Competition	Jingle Writing Competition
1st Prize	Krishna Kedia, D. N. High School	Prem Singh, RDS Collge	Simran Kumari, R K kedia Grils High School
2nd Prize	Sweety Kumari, Mahila Shilp Kala Bhawan High School	Abhijeet Dhar, Sunshine Preparatory/ High School	Priti Kumari, M S K B Girls High School
3rd Prize	Pranav Pratyush, D. N. High School	Jiya Jahnavi, ACME Public School	Kashish Paras, Chapman Girls High School

Mr P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs shared the recent findings of 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 at about ₹2,60,094 crore for the year 2019-20 and the total estimated legitimate employment loss at 15.96 lakh.

The report further estimates the tax loss to the government due to illicit goods in these industries as 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.

Illicit Market Size
Industry	Value (Rs In Crores)
Mobile Phones	15,884
FMCG - Household & Personal Goods	55,530
FMCG - Packaged Foods	1,42,284
Tobacco Products	22,930
Alcoholic Beverages	23,466

Tax Loss
Industry	Value (Rs In Crores)
Mobile Phones	2,859
FMCG - Household & Personal Goods	9,995
FMCG - Packaged Foods	17,074
Tobacco Products	13,331
Alcoholic Beverages	15,262

Over the years, FICCI CASCADE has been successfully stirring an active debate on the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting nationally through various awareness programmes and initiatives engaging industry, policy makers, law enforcement officials, voluntary organizations, youth and consumer at large.

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