Expect more steps to curb import of gold: Raghuram Rajan

11 Jun 2013 Evaluate

Continuing its drive to curb the current account deficit (CAD), the government within days of hiking import duty on gold is expected to initiate more steps to control the surging demand for gold. Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan has said that the government could take more steps to curb the import of gold and will never say its end of it.

The government had last week hiked import duty on gold to 8 per cent, the second such hike within six months. In first two months of the financial year, the monthly gold imports have averaged 152 tonnes as against an average of 70 tonnes seen in the 2012-13 fiscal. High gold imports is one of major reasons behind towering CAD, which touched a record high of 6.7% of GDP in December quarter of last fiscal and is further expected to remain in the range of 5% for the 2012-13 fiscal.

High CAD, also affects the rupee value, which has hit life-time low of 58.15 against the US dollar. Further, a weak currency could also dent recent fiscal and economic measures taken by the government, which has helped spark a surge in foreign inflows. Moreover it also complicates the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) campaign to slash interest rates in a country still facing the prospect of losing its investment-grade ratings.

By adding further, Rajan has said that India has a large CAD, and currencies of emerging markets with large CAD have depreciated more. The Indian currency is running neck to neck with the Korean won as the worst performer among emerging Asian currencies in the year to date. Besides, also highlighted that medium term measures taken by the government in past will continue and help rupee to find a level consistent with the sustainable growth.

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