Govt again hikes import duty on gold, platinum to 6%

22 Jan 2013 Evaluate

In a move to control imports of the precious metals, the government has hiked the import duty on gold and platinum to 6% from 4% with immediate effect. This move by the government would help moderate import of gold and help in bridging the current account deficit (CAD).

Further, the government would also link Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) with gold deposit scheme, which will enable mutual funds to release their physical gold and invest in gold-linked schemes offered by banks. Moreover, the proposed changes in the gold deposit scheme will make it attractive for consumers to deposit their idle gold with the banks under the respective scheme.

Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said,  “The move to link Gold ETF with deposit schemes will help increase physical availability of gold in the market, as a part of the gold lying in stock will be brought into circulation meeting the demand of gems and jewellery trade”. Consequently, there will be a moderation in the quantity of gold that is imported into the country.

Further, market regulator SEBI and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will come out with notifications on Gold ETF and gold deposit schemes in two to three weeks. Gold ETF is provided by Mutual Funds (MF), in which the units are backed by physical gold held by the MFs.

Gold imports in 2011-12 amounted to $56.5 billion and in the current financial year, till December, it is estimated at $38 billion. Current account deficit, which represents the difference between exports and imports after considering cash remittances and payment, widened to a record high of 5.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP), or $22.3 billion, in the July-September quarter.

Earlier, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had indicated that the government was considering reining in imports of gold, used as an investment tool by Indians but which mean a drain on foreign currency reserves. Last year in March, the government had doubled the import duty on gold to 4%.

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