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Liquor, cigarette smuggling far serious than perceived: Experts
The illicit market for fake and smuggled products is one of the biggest challenges faced by Indian industry, said K Jayanth Murali, ADGP, CB-CID, while speaking at a seminar on ‘Combating Counterfeiting and Smuggling – An Imperative to Accelerate Economic Development’, on Tuesday.
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Chennai
Pointing out that the issue of fake currency is also a serious problem as it is lucrative, offering higher returns, Murali said, “Our country has porous borders with countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, which gives miscreants a good opportunity to smuggle products into India”.
Speakers at the seminar revealed that a significant increase in smuggling of gold and cigarettes has been recorded in Tamil Nadu in the past few months.
“The problem of illicit trade is much more serious than it is commonly perceived. It has a huge adverse impact on the security and economy of the country, revenue of the government, health of the people and on the environment,” P C Jha, advisor, FICCI CASCADE and former chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs said.
He said the illegal money generated through illicit trade is a major source for financing dangerous activities such as terrorism, insurgency and other organised crimes.
“In our country, there is a strong demand for cheaper branded products from toys to airplane parts. Apart from significant economic loss in terms of revenue, the illicit and smuggling activities affects consumer health and safety, promotes money laundering causing huge loss of reputation to brand owners”, R Srinivasa Naik, Commissioner, Chennai Customs zone, said.
DENT ON THE EXCHEQUER
- According to a recent FICCI report, a total loss of Rs 39,239 reported for the Central government due to illicit markets.
- Revenue loss to the government due to smuggling of tobacco products is Rs 9,139, alcoholic beverages (Rs 6,309 crore) and mobile phones (Rs 6,705 crore).
- Cigarettes worth Rs 9 crore seized in Chennai port in February 2018.
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