IndiaMART, Palika Bazaar on US 'Notorious Markets List'

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New Delhi, February 18

Some of India’s top shopping spots for youngsters have been put on the list of world’s notorious markets released by the US Trade Representative (USTR). The reason is the same which attracts youngsters to Tank Road in Karol Bagh, Palika Bazaar in Rajiv Chowk, Heera Panna in Mumbai, Kidderpore in Kolkata — the surfeit of counterfeit products.

Infamous 4

E-commerce portal

• IndiaMART, an e-commerce website and app that connects buyers with suppliers, describes itself as the world’s second largest online business-to-business market
• Counterfeit goods can allegedly be found in large numbers on IndiaMART, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, electronics and apparel

Heera Panna

• A major indoor market located at the heart of Mumbai, Heera Panna reportedly offers counterfeit watches, footwear, accessories and cosmetics
• A raid at Heera Panna in September 2021 resulted in arrests for selling counterfeit versions of premium watches

Kolkata’s ‘Fancy Market’

• Locally known as “Fancy Market”, Kidderpore allegedly sells counterfeit products often in wholesale quantities
• Severe skin problems, rashes, irritation, and eye diseases have reportedly been caused due to the poor quality of the counterfeits

Delhi’s underground mart

• Palika Bazaar in Delhi is seemingly well-known for the trade of counterfeit products, such as mobile accessories and cosmetics
• Many shoppers are reportedly students and other young people who want trendy products at cheap prices

The 2021 Notorious Markets List released on Thursday identified 42 online and 35 physical markets around the world that are reported to engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy. A popular e-commerce website IndiaMART.com also figures in the latest annual list along with the four markets.

The USTR, however, did not view these markets from the teenagers’ perspective. “The global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods undermines critical US innovation and creativity and harms American workers. This illicit trade also increases the vulnerability of workers involved in the manufacturing of counterfeit goods to exploitative labour practices, and the counterfeit goods can pose significant risks to the health and safety of consumers and workers around the world,” said USTR’s Katherine Tai.