New Delhi, July 18, 2016: FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) in association with the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, (NACEN) organized a capacity building programme on the ‘Socio-Economic Impact of Illicit Trade’ on July 15 at NACEN, Faridabad. The objective was to sensitize trainee officers of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) on the ill effects of illicit trade with special focus on smuggling on the economy, and on the society as a whole.
Ms. Reena Arya, Additional Director General, NACEN, Chief Guest at the programme, in her opening remarks stated that illicit tradewas a global problem of enormous scale, impacting human lives and virtually every industry sector around the world. India was no exception, suffering significant economic and health& safety consequences as a result of widespread smuggling and counterfeiting in the country. Ms. Arya welcomed FICCI CASCADE’s initiative of sensitizing IRS probationers and stated that that this capacity building programme was timely as FICCI was a premier trade body in the country and the trainee officers would be the future economic guardians of the country.
Mr. P.C. Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Ex-Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs gave a detailed overview on the Socio-Economic Impact of Illicit trade. In his presentation Mr. Jha highlighted FICCI CASCADE’s initiatives to curb smuggling through various awareness programmes engaging industry, policy makers, law enforcement officials, voluntary organizations, the youth and consumer at large. He added that that one of FICCI CASCADE’s mandates was capacity building of law enforcement agencies including for Judges, Police and Customs Officers and CASCADE has been working extensively in this area nationally, organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous Interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled goods.
The programme further accentuated how smuggling was increasingly becoming a hugely lucrative business, with criminals relying on the continued high demand for cheap goods coupled with low production and distribution costs. The illegal activities related to smuggling take advantage of unaware consumers and bargain-hunters, exploiting people’s appetites for brands or simply their financial situation. The criminal networks behind this operate across national borders in activities that include the manufacture, export, import and distribution of illicit goods.Illicit trading activities affect everyone, with Governments, businesses and society being robbed of tax revenue, business income and jobs. The markets when flooded with such goods creates an enormous drain on the global economy by creating an underground trade that deprives Governments of revenue for vital public services and imposes greater burdens on taxpayers.
Dr. John Joseph, Principal Additional Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (Hqrs) in his address emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation with international agencies to address the issue of illicit trade and smuggling. Dr. Joseph highlighted that Illicit trade bypasses all controls while comprising quality, price and revenue.
The capacity building programme was addressed by eminent speakers from Government, industry and academia highlighting the extent of the menace and the preventive and on ground mechanisms needed to mitigate this challenge.
The capacity building programme was attended by over 80 officers of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), in day-long interactive event.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
