Deputy Speaker Calls For National Strategy Against Counterfeiting At Hyderabad Seminar

On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Deputy Speaker Dr J Ram Chander Naik called for a coordinated national strategy to combat the growing menace of counterfeiting and smuggling during a seminar in Hyderabad. Speaking at the seminar, which was organized by FICCI CASCADE, Naik emphasized that illicit trade has evolved beyond being merely an economic offense. He stated that these activities have now emerged as serious threats to consumer safety, legitimate businesses, and overall national development.

The seminar, titled 'Illicit Trade: A Unified Approach to Counter Smuggling and Counterfeiting,' focused on the urgent need for stronger policy measures. It served as a key platform for government officials, customs authorities, and industry leaders to discuss the economic, security, and consumer safety risks associated with illicit trade networks.

Addressing the seminar, Hyderabad Customs Additional Commissioner Rajiv Thampula detailed the severe consequences of these illicit activities. Thampula explained that counterfeiting and smuggling result in a significant loss of government revenue. Furthermore, he warned that these activities undermine legitimate trade, fuel organized crime, and pose serious, direct risks to the safety of consumers.

Representing the business community, T Muralidharan, the former chairman of the FICCI Telangana State Council and chairman of the TMI Group, highlighted the widespread economic damage caused by illicit trade. Muralidharan stated that illicit trade affects every sector of the economy by undermining genuine enterprises. He added that it discourages innovation and creates an uneven business environment that harms compliant businesses.

The event also featured a panel discussion on 'Policies to Prevent Counterfeiting and Smuggling.' The participants at the Hyderabad seminar concluded by emphasizing the need for a unified, collaborative effort among all stakeholders to combat the challenges of smuggling and counterfeiting, urging the implementation of stronger policy measures to protect the economy, secure government revenue, and ensure the safety of consumers across the country.