(a) the details of the import of essential commodities in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, commodity-wise and country-wise;
(b) whether import of essential commodities has registered any increase during the said period; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) The commodity-wise detail of import of essential commodities is given in Annexure. However, country-wise detail during each of the last three years and the current year is available in the DGCI&S publication in CD form namely ‘Foreign Trade Statistics of India’ (Principal Commodities & Countries) for March 2009, March 2010, March 2011 and May 2011 respectively which is regularly sent to Parliament Library by DGCI&S.
(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. Import takes place either because the country is short of it, as in the case of pulses and edible oils etc., or because domestic prices are higher.