Bengaluru, July 30 (IANS) Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Karnataka government, addressed the FICCI CASCADE’s conference on ‘Combating Illicit Trade: Insights, Challenges, and Solutions’ here on Tuesday.

“Smuggling and counterfeiting not only finance terror groups but also undermine global security, posing severe threats to safety and economic growth. The proliferation of counterfeit products, including pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, endangers public health and safety, with the WHO reporting that 1 in 10 medicines in low and middle-income countries is substandard.

“In response, Karnataka is taking decisive action by supporting 43 GI-tagged products and working closely with law enforcement (agencies) to combat illicit trade. Our commitment to preserving traditional crafts and ensuring access to genuine, quality goods is crucial for safeguarding our economy, health, and security,” Krishna said in her address.

Prabha Rao, Executive Director, South Asian Institute for Strategic Affairs, and Scholar, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said, “Counterfeiting and smuggling undermine legitimate businesses, government revenues, heritage, and the livelihoods of artisans.

“To combat these illicit practices, it is crucial to engage grassroots communities and local leaders, raising awareness about their severe economic, health, and societal impacts.”

P.C. Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, and ex-Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), said, “In recent years, we have made tremendous gains in advancing our formal economy, moving steadily towards our goal of becoming a developed nation.

“However, amid these advancements, one critical challenge remains largely overlooked — illicit trade. Illicit activities, such as counterfeiting and smuggling, pose significant threats to our economic stability and development. It needs to be highlighted that tackling and mitigating counterfeiting and smuggling is essential to achieving a $5 trillion Indian economy.”

“In October last year, FICCI CASCADE in a novel report, said that when India’s economy crossed the $3 trillion mark in 2021, money laundering in the country reached $159 billion, highlighting the severe impact of illicit markets. As India strives to transform its economy into a $5 trillion powerhouse in the coming years, the current trade composition of smuggling at 30 percent would make the trade value at $1.5 trillion,” added Jha.

This magnitude of the problem was highlighted in a FICCI CASCADE report in October 2023 titled ‘Hidden Stream: Linkages between illicit markets, financial flows, organised crime and terrorism’.

Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and former Special Commissioner of Police, Delhi, said, “Just last week, Bengaluru Customs officials made a significant breakthrough by intercepting a major gold smuggling attempt. They seized 2.57 kg of gold estimated to be worth Rs 1.68 crore at the Kempegowda International Airport.

“Apart from gold smuggling, Karnataka also faces various other forms of illicit trade like red sanders, drugs, including synthetic drugs, endangered wildlife species, and illegal cigarettes. More interventions are required to control this menace.”

“However, it must be said that the Karnataka government and the enforcement agencies have been making consistent efforts and have done remarkable work in addressing the menace of illicit trade. Their systematic and vigilant approach has led to the successful seizure of numerous illegal goods, reflecting their dedication to addressing smuggling and counterfeiting,” he added.

Kotraswamy M., Commissioner, Bengaluru North CGST Commissionerate, highlighted that to effectively combat illicit trade, we must form a united front — a human chain of solidarity and resolve against this global menace.

Collaboration between central agencies, state enforcement bodies, and civil society is essential to successfully tackling this challenge and safeguarding our economy and society.

Karnataka has been facing a range of smuggling issues, with authorities making significant strides in uncovering various criminal networks. They have successfully dismantled numerous operations, including interstate drug rackets, international wildlife trafficking rings, and extensive smuggling operations through airports, trains, roads, waterways, and ports.

The other eminent speakers at the seminar included Siddhartha Agarwal, Co-chair, FICCI Karnataka State Council; Kameswari Subramanian, former Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Customs, and Service Tax, Bangalore Zone & International Expert, Customs Law; Kalyanam Rajesh Rama Rao, Additional Commissioner, Customs; Gunjan Arya, Deputy Director, Security, State Intelligence, Bengaluru; Prem Mahadevan, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime; and Jyothi VK, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.

–IANS

san/arm

Hyderabad, July 30 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday launched the second phase of the farm loan waiver scheme.

Under this phase, crop loans of up to Rs.1.5 lakh will be waived

The Chief Minister launched the second phase at a programme held in the Assembly premises.

Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar adjourned the House for some time to enable legislators to participate in the event.

For the second phase, Rs. 6,198 crores are being deposited in the bank accounts of 6.4 lakh farmers.

The Chief Minister said under the first phase Rs.6,035 crores were deposited in the bank accounts of 11.34 lakh farmers.

In both, the first and second phases the loans of 17.75 lakh farmers have been waived, for this the government spent Rs.12,225 crore.

He said the government proved its commitment by waiving the farm loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh within a month. Farm loans up to Rs 2 lakhs will be waived by August and free the farmers from debt burden.

The government will be spending a total of Rs.31,000 crore on crop loan waiver in three phases. He said no state in independent India has so far waived farmers’ loans on such a large scale.

“July and August will be remembered as significant months in the history of Telangana. The Telangana State has created history in the country by waiving the farm loans in a record one month time,” he said.

The Chief Minister thanked the legislators for attending the programme irrespective of their party affiliation in the interest of the farmers.

He recalled that the Congress announced the Farmer Declaration on May 6, 2022, in Warangal to bring happiness to the lives of distressed peasants.

The Chief Minister alleged that the previous BRS government failed to waive the farm loans even up to Rs 1 lakh in four phases during the 60-month rule. The last government waived farm loans hardly to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore.

He said some people raised serious doubts about the implementation of farm loan waiver amid the deep financial crisis the state was facing. “Our government prepared plans to waive the loans despite facing fund crunch. We mobilised required funds,” he said adding that this shows the Congress government’s sincerity and commitment.

He claimed that Congress has always been supporting farmers. He mentioned that former Prime Minister Nehru introduced the Green Revolution with the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi nationalised banks to provide low-interest loans to poor farmers.

Sonia Gandhi introduced the Food Security Act in the country. Congress-led Union governments waived Rs. 72,000 crores of loans in the country, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and other ministers were present.

–IANS

ms/dan

Shimla, July 30 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the 75th state-level ‘Van Mahotsav’ on Tuesday by planting an oak sapling at his official residence, Oak Over, here.

He said the Forest Department has set a target to plant saplings on 9,000 hectares across the state.

The Chief Minister also launched the beta testing of the e-forest software, a new initiative aimed at streamlining departmental operations and enhancing transparency within the Forest Department.

He emphasised the importance of increasing the plantation of fruit trees in forest areas from 30 to 60 per cent, with anticipated positive outcomes within 10 years. He highlighted that the Forest Department and the Forest Corporation processed 15,000 salvage trees last year, generating substantial revenue from timber sales, which increased the state government’s royalty income from Rs 35 crore to Rs 70 crore in one and a half years.

In the remote Lahaul-Spiti district, Mahila Mandals (women groups) have been engaged in plantation activities and forest conservation, generating revenue for these women’s groups.

Underlining the state’s green initiatives, CM Sukhu said a 32 MW solar power plant at Pekhubela in the Una district has been established, while two more solar plants are expected to become operational in the next six months.

Additionally, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Oil India Company for green hydrogen production, which would further propel the state towards its green energy state goal.

–IANS

vg/svn/

Guwahati, July 30 (IANS) Lakshman Prasad Acharya was on Tuesday sworn in as the Governor of Assam.

Acharya, who was Governor of Sikkim, replaced Gulab Chand Kataria, who has been appointed as the Governor of Punjab and administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi administered the oath of office to Acharya at a function in the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra in the state capital.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his Cabinet colleagues, senior civil and security officials, and several dignitaries were present in the event.

A former RSS and BJP member, Acharya, 69, would also hold additional charge of Manipur, replacing outgoing Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

Acharya was also a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.

–IANS

sc/khz

Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced an aid of Rs 5 crore from the CM’s Public Relief Fund to the Kerala government where a landslide disaster has claimed 75 lives and many are reported missing.

CM Stalin in a post on X said, “Deeply pained to learn about the massive landslides in Wayanad and the consequent loss of priceless lives. I am given to understand that many people are still trapped in the area. I am sure that the rescue operations that are in full swing will save them all. The government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend any logistical or manpower support that may be needed in this hour of crisis for our brethren state Kerala.”

Massive landslides hit several areas in the Wayanad district early morning and several others are feared trapped.

Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha areas of Wayanad district are affected the most.

The bridge connecting Mundakkai to the mainland has been washed away.

Several bodies were recovered downstream in the Chaliyar River of Malappuram district which is around 100 km away from the place where the incident took place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have already communicated to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan all assistance in the rescue operations. The leaders also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

–IANS

aal/dpb