RBI imposes restrictions on import of yellow metal by banks

14 May 2013 Evaluate

In a move to curb the gold imports, which is putting pressure on the current account deficit (CAD), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on import of the yellow metal by banks. The central bank in a statement has said, ‘to moderate the demand for gold for domestic use, it has been decided to restrict the import of gold on consignment basis by banks, only to meet the genuine needs of exporters of gold jewellery.’

On the back of rising oil and gold imports, CAD, which is difference between the outflow and inflow of foreign currency, touched a record high of 6.7% in the October-December quarter. Further, during April 2013, gold and silver imports surged by 138% to $7.5 billion against $3.1 billion in the year-ago period. Merchandise imports rose 10.9% to $41.95 billion and exports rose 1.6% from a year earlier to $24.16 billion, thereby leaving a trade deficit of $17.8 billion, which is higher than the deficit of $14.041 billion recorded in the same month last year.

Higher trade deficit in turn puts pressure on CAD, which has been described as the biggest risk to the Indian economy by the apex bank. The move to impose restrictions on gold imports follows recommendations of a Working Group on Gold, which had recommended aligning gold import regulations with rest of the imports for creating a level playing field between gold imports and other imports.

Further, as per the RBI, nominated banks and agencies were permitted to import gold on loan basis, suppliers credit/buyers credit basis, consignment basis as also on unfixed price basis. However, bulk of the gold imported is on consignment basis whereby nominated banks do not have to fund these stocks, RBI added.

Similar steps were taken by the government to curb the gold imports with a view to checking the widening CAD, hiked the import duty on gold and platinum from 4% to 6% with immediate effect. Gold imports in 2012-13 stood at around 830 tonne.

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