Lok Sabha Question No. 2377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Import of Consumer Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. KAMARAAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## IMPORT OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS

## 2377. DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- a) the  details  of  consumer  products  imported  into  the  country  during  each  of  the  last three years and the current year product and year-wise along with the percentage of total imports;
- b) the  benefits  accrued  to  the  economy  of  the  country  by  the  import  of  consumer products;
- c) whether the development of the country is getting affected adversely due to import of these products; and
- d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )श्रीमती निममला सीतारमि((स्वतंत्र प्रभार ) (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) There  are  around  11500  tariff  lines  (products)  at  8  digit  level  in  the  Indian  Trade Classification  (Harmonized  System)  of  Export  and  Import  Items,  2012  [ITC(HS), 2012].    Goods/products  are  imported  into  the  country  as  per  policy  outlined  in  the above document.  Details of the products imported into the country during each of the last few years and the current year are available in the public domain at Department of Commerce website: http://commerce.nic.in/eidb/default.asp.

The total Import -Export figures for the last three years and the current year (AprilOctober) are as under:

Value in USD Millions

| Details      | 2012-13    | 2013-14    | 2014-15    | 2015-16 (   |
|--------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|
|              |            |            |            | October)    |
| Total Import | 490,736.65 | 450,199.79 | 448,033.41 | 232,093.87  |

April-

| Total Export   | 300,400.58   | 314,405.30   | 310,338.48   | 154,768.56   |
|----------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
| Total Trade    | 791,137.23   | 764,605.09   | 758,371.89   | 386,862.43   |

- (b) to  (d):Economies  today  are  extremely  complex  and  sophisticated  in  terms  of  the  diverse bundle  of  goods  and  services  consumed  and  the  technologies  involved.  No  country  is  in  a position to adopt a model of autarky without adversely affecting the welfare of its citizens. This is also the spirit behind the WTO arrangement and the rights and obligations under it. Under  the  extant  policy,  goods  are  free  for  import  and  export  unless  'restricted'  or 'prohibited' due to factors like national security, environment, safety of human, animal and plant life.  Policy  of  free trade  subject to these restrictions  encourages optimal allocation of scarce  resources,  higher  investment,  enhanced  productivity;  allows  consumer  choice  and brings competitive prices.

Trade  also  enables  suitably  addressing  demand  -supply  mis-match  and  non-availability  of certain goods in the country. Import of Capital Goods helps the country in developing and diversifying its production base and improving its efficiency. Import of raw materials/components and intermediate goods/products at a competitive price enables production of finished goods, thereby adding value to the economy (in terms of employment and  income  generation).  Import  of  finished  goods  addresses  issues  like  shortage  or  nonavailability of goods to consumers, and enhances consumers' welfare and choice.

Measure like tariff within bound rates and safeguard/anti-dumping and countervailing duties are available to address concerns related to domestic producers.

.

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