India extends zero customs duty, ban on pulses export for a year

NEW DELHI -- India Wednesday extended the import of pulses at zero customs duty and the ban on exports on the products for another fiscal year due to decline of the mass consumption food product in the country.

"The decision today is to extend zero duty on import of pulses for one more year beyond March 31, 2009. Pulses can now be imported at zero duty for one more year till March 31, 2010," Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram told the media.

The fiscal year starts April 1 and ends March 31 each year in India.

He said the government took the decision to increase the domestic supply of pulses, a popular food product in India.

"The government also decided to extend the distribution of imported pulses through the public distribution system for six more months till Sept. 30 this year," he said.

India banned exports of pulses and exempted them from customs duty since June, 2006.

An earlier report by the Indian government said Tuesday the import of mass consumption goods increased by 33 percent from April to December 2008 over the same period of previous year.

The import of edible oil, automobiles, fruits, vegetables, cotton, silk, rubber, spices, alcoholic beverages, marble, granite, tea, coffee and milk products have increased during the reference period, said the Indian Ministry of Industry and Commerce.