The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Saturday expressed deep anguish and rejected the report of US Trade Representative (USTR) that has listed three physical Indian markets-Heera Panna in Mumbai, Palika Bazar and Tank Road in Delhi, and Kidderpore in Kolkata--- in the 2021 Notorious Markets List for allegedly facilitating trade in counterfeits,
The traders body said that the USTR has “overreached its jurisdiction” and has no right to malign any market of any country other than US.
Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General, CAIT said that the report which alleges that these markets are facilitating substantial trademark counterfeiting is based on no “substantial evidence” and “has no legs to stand on.” Taking serious note of the report, CAIT said it will register its displeasure with the US Embassy in New Delhi and has also asked its legal team to examine the matter.
“The report is a bundle of lies having no creditable evidence and can’t be taken as a certificate of USTR. The Indian markets do not require any certificate from any one including USTR,” the traders’ body added. It alleged that several American companies have been indulging in malpractices in their business activities around the world , “therefore it will be better for USTR to put its own house in order.”