Post QRs: No surge in imports of 714 items

NEW DELHI, OCT. 9. Lifting of quantitative restrictions (QRs) has not led to a surge in imports of 714 items on which QRs were lifted in March 2000, with official data showing a mere 5.12 per cent growth in their imports during 2000-01.

Total imports of these items during 2000-01 were Rs. 5,074 crores as against Rs. 4,826 crores in the previous year, a growth of 5.12 per cent, an official statement said.

Diamonds and semi-precious stones constituted 35 per cent of the total imports of these 714 items while telephonic apparatus, scrubbing and drying machines formed another 14 per cent of these imports.

In terms of percentage of growth, plastics and rubber, works of art and antiques were the only two commodity groups that showed an import growth of 398 and 361 per cent respectively.

Some growth was also seen in the imports of prepared foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, leather products, headgear, glasswear, ceramic products and products such as footwear and umbrella, the statement said but added that the absolute quantum of imports of these items was not significant in relation to the aggregate domestic production of these items.

Of the 714 items, no import was made for 151 items either before or after the removal of QRs and only 92 items recorded imports worth more than Rs. 5 crores.

Import data of these 714 items have been released close on the heels of the data of 300 sensitive items identified by the Government this year for a possible surge in imports following lifting of QRs on the remaining 700 odd items.

Imports of the 300 items declined to Rs. 4,032 crores during April-August this year as against Rs. 4,587 crores in the same period last year, posting a dip of around 12 per cent.

In the case of the 714 items, the major commodity groups which posted a negative growth in imports include live animals, vegetable and mineral products and transport equipment.

Imports of items such as textile and textile products went up by 10 per cent to Rs. 169.70 crores from Rs. 154.88 crores, while imports of precious stones dipped by nearly 4 per cent to Rs. 1,957 crores in 2000-01 from Rs. 2,036 crores in the previous year.

- PTI

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Section  : Business
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