Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to the Commerce and other ministries concerned, seeking a cut in import duty and easing of physical curbs on gold imports, according to a letter released on Thursday.
“You are requested to look into the matter (demands of the gems and jewellery industry) for appropriate action,” the letter stated.
But Finance Minister P Chidambaram reiterated from Davos that easing any curbs on gold imports will be possible only after India has a firm grip on its current account deficit situation.
“Until we have a firm grip on the current account deficit, I do not contemplate any rollback in any measure. We will get a full idea of the current account deficit when the Budget is presented and the year comes to an end,” Chidambaram told a private TV channel on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual meet.
However, he added that he had not yet seen Gandhi’s letter and couldn’t comment on it.
Related report on Page 12
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