The Hindu Business Line : Call to curb counterfeiting

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, is flanked by Mr Daniel R. Walsh, Director, Total Trust Solutions, London, and the State Home Minister, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, at the inauguration of an international conference on anti-counterfeiting technologies organised by C-Dit in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, May 28

There is need for creating public awareness and evolving a scientific mechanism against the misuse of technology for counterfeiting activities, said the Kerala Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan.

Inaugurating an international conference on ‘Anti-counterfeiting technologies’ organised by the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) to mark its 20th anniversary here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that computer was now being used in all spheres, including finance, marketing and health sectors. But quacks have infiltrated these sectors and are having a free run and this has to be checked.

Fakes galore

He noted that anti-social elements were trying to bring out imitations of quality products with the sole intention of making profits. Fake currency, medicines and even liquor are circulating in the market and the law-enforcing agencies have often failed to nab these people and subject them to legal proceedings.

The common man remains helpless in such a scenario and he fails to realise that he is being cheated. It is imperative that he should be equipped to detect the counterfeit products through comprehensive scientific training programmes, the Chief Minister said.

He said that C-DIT was scaling new heights in growth and it could do business worth Rs 22 crore last year and post an operating profit of around Rs 7 crore. The State-run organisation is also successfully implementing several new projects such as preparing Web sites for government departments and institutions and imparting training in technical areas.

The Home Minister, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, said in his presidential address that the advancements in technology were indicators of social development. But the benefits are being misused, endangering even the security of the nation.

He pointed out that fake currency was being used for anti-national activities. Counterfeiting is not confined to a specific area and it extends to the duplication of university certificates, driving licences, land records and stamp papers. Besides, the production of fake CDs was posing a threat to the film industry, the Minister said.

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