Main Items of Imports

The main items of import are highlighted as below:

1. Cereals and Cereal Products:

No doubt, India is an agricultural country l its population is so rapidly increasing that there is no alternative to import the products from the foreign countries. We are self-sufficient in wheat production. Still other cereals and cereal products are being imported from America, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries.

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During 1960-61, India imported to the tune of Rs. 181 crore which declined to Rs. 110 crore in 1985-86. Import bill reduced to Rs. 182 crore in 1990-91. Again it rose to Rs. 1298 crore in 1998-99. In 2001-02, it has declined to Rs. 431 crore.

2. Petroleum Oil and Lubricants:

Under planned economic development there is rapid pace of industrialization. This resulted in the increase in the demand for industrial fuel, petroleum, oil and lubricants. Since we are not self-sufficient in these products, we are compelled to import from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Russia, Iran and America.

During 1960-61, we imported these products worth Rs. 69 crore which increased to Rs. 5264 crore in 1980-81. It has been recorded at Rs. 10816 crore in 1990 -91 which are almost 50 per cent of the total import of the year. In 2001-02, imports value of petroleum oil and lubricants was registered at Rs. 66769 crore.

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3. Fertilizers and Chemical Products:

We import fertilizer and chemical products in a large quantity from America and European countries. During 1970-71, we imported these products worth Rs. 154 crore which increased to Rs. 1176 crore in 1980-81. The imports increased to Rs. 4055 crore in 1990-91. But, it declined to Rs. 2964 crore in 2001-02.

4. Iron and Steel:

The demand for iron and steel is increasing day by day while its production has shown a downward trend. As a result, we have to import from other countries like West Germany, Hungary and America.

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During 1960-61, total import of iron and steel was recorded at Rs. 123 crore which increased to Rs. 1395 crores in 1985-86. This import increased to Rs. 4838 crore in 1995-96. Moreover, in 2001-02 the import value of iron and steel was of Rs. 3975 crore.

5. Non-Ferrous Metals:

Our country also imports non-ferrous metals from other countries. Among these metals, copper is the most needed. In 1960-61, we imported non-ferrous metals worth of Rs. 47 crore which increased to Rs. 477 crore in 1980-81. During 1990-91, total imports were of Rs. 1235 crore. Again in 2001-02 non-ferrous metals worth of Rs. 3086 crore were imported.

6. Electrical Equipments and Transport Equipment:

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We have to import electrical equipments and transport equipments from countries like England, America, Canada Czechoslovakia, Japan and West Germany.

The value of these two articles was Rs. 129 crore 1960-61. The value of electrical equipments and transport equipment rose to the level of Rs. 1842 crore in 1990-91. This amount was further increased to Rs. 8371 crore in 2001-02.

7. Pearls and Precious Stones:

Pearls and precious stones are also imported by India. In 1970-71, we imported these articles worth Rs. 25 crores which increased rapidly to Rs. 417 crore in 1980-81. This import has increased to Rs. 3738 crore in 1990-91 and further to Rs. 22046 crore in 2001-02.

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8. Edible Oil:

Being agriculturist country, we import edible oils. During 1970-71, edible oils were imported worth Rs. 23 crores which increased to the level of Rs. 677 crore in 1990-91 which fell to Rs. 479 crore in 2000-01 but in 2001-02 it has again increased to Rs. 6093 crore.