Question : Prevention of Cross Border Smuggling

(a) whether any measures have been taken to ensure that customs department and border security enforcements work together to increase security of Indian borders to prevent smuggling of counterfeit and unsafe products;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is contemplating to use advanced technologies to aid the customs and border security agencies in their operations to prevent illicit trade and smuggling activities of counterfeit and unsafe products; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b) : Border Guarding Forces (BGFs) are working in coordination with Customs department to prevent smuggling of counterfeit and unsafe products. The measures adopted to prevent smuggling of counterfeit and unsafe products include construction of border fence, installation of floodlights, construction of Border Out Posts (BOPs), deployment of Hi- tech surveillance equipments, sharing of information and conduct of joint operations by BGFs and Customs department.

-2-
L.S.US.Q NO. 4418 FOR 23.03.2021

(c) & (d) : Advanced technologies are being used to prevent illicit trade and smuggling of counterfeit and unsafe products. These include risk management system, non-intrusive inspection system such as container scanners, explosive detector, Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night Vision Devices (NVD) etc.

*****