TS govt using blockchain and AI to deter counterfeiting: Jayesh Ranjan

Addressing a webinar ‘Combating Counterfeiting and Smuggling during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond’, organised by Ficci’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is extremely cautious in protecting the larger public interest and is using blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a deterrent environment against counterfeiting, said Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary to the Government of Telangana, Industries & Commerce, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department.

Addressing a webinar ‘Combating Counterfeiting and Smuggling during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond’, organised by Ficci’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE), Ranjan added that it is very unfortunate that some people are trying to take advantage of this pandemic and thinking of counterfeiting and faking the Covid-19 vaccines.

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Long-time multiplier effect of crimes such as counterfeiting and smuggling is very harmful to the society at large and impacts effective governance, he noted.

T Muralidharan, chairman, Ficci Telangana State Council said, “Discussions on combating smuggling and counterfeiting are even more important in the context of Covid-19 which is impacting the economy and is endangering lives of people. Illicit trade adversely impacts the manufacturing strength of the nation and if not checked will act as a barrier to the government’s vision of making India a global manufacturing hub.”

Need for nodal agency

Anil Sinha, former director, CBI and Think Tank Member, Ficci CASCADE emphasised on the need for policies and regulations which disincentivises such illegal activity. Ficci CASCADE recently had recommended to the Government of India for setting up of an umbrella body i.e., a multi-agency centre to ensure proper coordination amongst the concerned ministries, departments and enforcement agencies to address the problems arising out of Illicit trade.

This nodal agency could share intelligence and enhance cooperation among national and international bodies. Further, it could also make policy recommendations and build capacities to address the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.

As cases related to smuggling and counterfeiting rise steeply during the past few months, the webinar was organised to discuss the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which have opened multiple avenues for criminals to prey upon susceptible organisations and consumers.

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