Measures such as restrictions on certain imports, the implementation of a production-linked incentive scheme and the enforcement of mandatory quality norms are proving effective in reducing the influx of non-essential products like TVs, tires, wallpaper, and AC gas compressors into the country, news agency PTI reported.
These strategic steps, including antidumping and countervailing duties, aim to analyse and control non-essential imports while enhancing domestic production capacity in sectors heavily reliant on imports, it stated.
According to the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s analysis, import restrictions on tires led to a significant 74 per cent reduction in inbound shipments, decreasing from USD 276 million in 2019-20 to USD 74 million in 2022-23.
Import values for wallpapers also dropped by 77 per cent to USD 10 million during April-August this year, attributed to the launch of the paper import monitoring system (PIMS).
Similarly, the implementation of a quality control order (QCO) for footwear contributed to a 54 per cent reduction in imports to USD 75 million during July-August this year compared to the same period last year. AC gas compressors saw a 10 per cent decline in imports to USD 177 million during April-August 2023.
The introduction of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods, with a focus on AC components and LED lights, received approval with an outlay of Rs 6,238 crore. An inter-ministerial committee regularly convenes to explore avenues for reducing imports of non-essential goods.
To further cut imports, the government has increased customs duty on gold, imposed curbs on TV shipments, set minimum import prices for certain goods, and introduced schemes such as the National Food Security Mission (Oilseeds and Oil Palm) and ethanol blending in oil.
