India's sensitive imports up 27% in Ist half of FY09

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) India's import of sensitive items went up by 26.8 per cent in the first half of current fiscal to Rs 20,560.2 crore over Rs 16,216.6 crore in the April-September period of the previous year.

However, this constituted just 3.6 per cent of the total import of all commodities at Rs 6,61,208 crore as compared to 3.1 per cent of Rs 4,56,407 crore gross imports during the comparable halves of two years, data released by Commerce and Industry Ministry today said.

In edible oil segment, overall import increased from Rs 6,009.23 crore to Rs 6,182.89 crore, largely due to substantial increase in import of refined bleached deodorised palmolein, it added.

However, import of crude edible oil went down by 6.5 per cent but that of refined went up by 79.2 per cent.

The Ministry said imports of milk and milk products and food grains had declined but that of edible oil, automobiles, fruits and vegetables (including nuts), cotton and silk, products of SSI, rubber, spices, alcoholic beverages, marble and granite and tea and coffee increased during the comparable halves of two years.

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