Dec 19, 2022
The Centre may hike the duties on imports of
"non-essential items" ahead of growing concerns around a slowdown in
exports and a widening trade deficit. Several ministries are in the process of
shortlisting the commodities for duty hikes, as reported by the Indian Express
(IE). The list will reportedly be restricted to only the commodities that have
"enough manufacturing capacity" in the country.
"We are looking at non-essential imports for which there is enough
manufacturing capacity. It is to identify non-essential items, where there is
sufficient production capacity and allow for higher import substitution,"
an official told IE.