Inessential imports will be curbed: Chidambaram

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday said the government will soon take "hard decisions" to curb imports of inessential goods and contain inflation.

"We have to contain demand and practice austerity measures. Wasteful expenditure should be cut. We have to ensure that import of all inessential items are curbed," he said while replying to a debate on the appropriation bill and price rise in the Rajya Sabha.

The finance minister cited the import of high-end television sets and said it cannot be imported under personal baggage any further.

"I am concerned about inflation. It is an unequal tax on all sections of people," he said, adding that "no one in the government will be happy increasing petroleum and diesel prices."

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily has said he would announce measures to curb fuel use this month.

Chidambaram said to address the inflation the government will now focus on supply side and distribution system of food articles.