Sharp rise in imports of sensitive items

India's import of sensitive products, which could have an adverse impact on the small scale industries and the farm sector, went up by 27.7 per cent to Rs 45,877.3 crore in fiscal ended March 2009.

The value of import of such items stood at Rs 35,919.3 crore in 2007-08.

The import of refined oil jumped 120 per cent, while those of crude edible oil rose by 34.4 per cent. The value of edible oil imports has increased to Rs 15,873.60 crore during 2008-09 from Rs 10,942.54 crore last year.

"The increase in edible oil import is mainly due to substantial rise in import of crude palm oil and its fractions (distillates)," an official statement said here today.

The value of gross import of all commodities during April -March 2008-09 was Rs 1,30,5503 crore compared to Rs 1,01,2312 crore in 2007-08.

However, imports of spices and foodgrain have declined during the period, it added.

Imports of fruits and vegetables products increased to Rs 10,979.51 crore in fiscal 2008-09 from Rs 8,774.43 crore a year ago, the official statement said.

According to the statement, imports of items such as edible oil, fruit and vegetables, automobiles, cotton, silk, rubber, alcoholic beverages, marble and granite, tea, coffee, milk and milk products have increased during the period.