ASSOCHAM meet on parallel import and export disappoints IT trade channel

Following the recently held national conference on Parallel Import and Export, organized by ASSOCHAM, representations were made from three

Delhi based IT associations including All Delhi Computer Traders Association (ADCTA), PCAIT and CMDA to the organization.

This conference was organized on account of the issues that arose subsequent to the judgment given in the appeal in the Kapil Wadhwa Vs.

Samsung case.

Post the meet, PCAIT has decided to quickly arrange a meet at Delhi to seek consent from all the IT Associations in the country and then

present a memorandum to government departs requesting them not to amend the law with a view to ban parallel imports and help the multi-nationals to become monopolistic.

Meanwhile, PCAIT has started sending out the circular to all major IT associations and is planning to conduct an All Association meet on

December1, 2012 at Nehru Place. The association requested in its circular to the associations to display their support to this initiative.

Speaking to The DQ Week, V Krishnan, executive secretary, PCAIT said, "The conference conducted on November 24, 2012 by ASSOCHAM was actually to lobby with the government for changing the law to suit MNCs. We would particularly like to emphasize that the issue is far wider and not limited to this particular case ( Kapil Wadhwa Vs. Samsung) and it is the bounden duty of all of us to ensure that this judgment is preserved and made to stand as law rather than any vested interest interfering with it for modification in the Higher Court."

"We therefore felt all the associations should put their might together ensuring a fair and just law, as enumerated in the judgment and its

preservation. And in case the same is challenged in the Higher Court, we should stand united to ensure that no law is made to exploit the

consumer and to benefit any MNC or National organization," he said.

According to Puneet Singhal, president, CMDA Delhi, "The ASSOCHAM meet was mainly supported by MNCs like Dell, Microsoft, Samsung and HP, in

our view, India should adopt mix of both International and domestic exhaustion considering India is into manufacturing and trading. We all

three associations share common agenda to support parallel import in India."

PCAIT is seeking support of other associations as well, in supporting the cause to protect the Indian Consumers and which also is in support of the current Hon'ble High Court judgment.

Speaking on the matter, Mahinder Aggarwal, president, ADCTA, said, "During the ASSOCHAM meet, we had a heated argument with MNCs and other

representatives. With our strong stand on this issue, one of the panelist Parveen Anand, withdraw himself to speak anything on the subjected matter. ADCTA, wanted to have transparent and balanced outcome of this meet."

Expressing similar views, Swarn Singh, joint secretary, ADCTA, said, " ASSOCHAM meet is a clear view to everyone about their stand to support MNC's. They have invited all of us to discuss parallel import along with its pros and cons. However we are disappointed with their approach and overall outcome from this meet. They have no concern with the consumer and its very unfortunate that they are become more of less lobbist of MNC's. All the panelist are in full support to ban or challenge the judgment made by Hon'ble High Court's Double Bench. But overall it is very premature to judge any outcome from this meet, MNC's are doing every bit of thing to fulfill their desire to capture and run Indian Market at their will, but we have full faith in our Indian Law and in present Government, till today they have protected the interest of Indian Consumer (King of the Market) and same we hope for the future. ADCTA will continue to support parallel import in India to protect the interest of Indian Consumer.