(a) whether import bill of almost all the sectors has increased during the first quarter of current year;
(b) if so, the facts in this regard;
(c) the sectors which have witnessed maximum import during the above period alongwith the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to curb the import bill?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE)
(a) to (d): As per DGCI&S`s quick estimates, there is an increase of 30.5% in imports during the first two months
of the current year as compared to the same period of the previous year. The items, which have witnessed maximum
import, are the following:
Petroleum Crude & Products; Gold & Silver; Electronic Goods; Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones; Machinery, Electrical & Non-Electrical; Organic & Inorganic Chemicals and Vegetable Oil (Fixed).