Mysuru:  Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI)- Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) had organised a day-long capacity-building training programme on prevention of illegal trade in counterfeit, pirated and smuggled goods for Police and Enforcement officials of Karnataka State at Karnataka Police Academy (KPA) in city yesterday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, KPA Director Vipul Kumar said that the Police Department is a primary law enforcement agency and has a significant role in fighting the menace of smuggling  and counterfeit. He said that KPA is committed to prevent such crimes and hence is providing training to the officers.

He also commended FICCI-CASCADE for taking this initiative in the State for training Police officers on the critical area of illegal trade.

FICCI-CASCADE also works closely with government, Police, industry, enforcement officials, media, legal experts and consumer organisations to create awareness on counterfeiting and smuggling to contain such activities.

In view of the increasing menace of illegal trade, both in terms of value and magnitude, the Police Department has been making all efforts in eliminating this threat in co-ordination with FICCI’s CASCADE and added that strict measures must be taken to nip this illegal trade in the initial stages, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, FICCI’s CASCADE Advisor Deepchand stated that FICCI-CASCADE reports estimate that the Government due to illegal markets in just seven manufacturing sectors is suffering a loss of Rs.39,239 crore. This apart, the industries have suffered a loss of Rs.1,05,381 crore, an increase of 44.4% in two years.

Training on ‘Prevention of illegal trade’ for Police and Enforcement Officials held

JSS Law College Assistant Professor A.T. Jagadeesh, Attorney-Advisor of US Patents and Trademarks Office, Washington Timothy K. Browning, Shivadas & Shivadas Law Chambers Advocate Prashanth S. Shivadas and others were present during the training programme.