India’s Imports to be Controlled for Stabilisation

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 5

India’s Imports to be Controlled for Stabilisation

NEW DELHI, May IS. The Department of Commerce of India has revised India’s import policy to stop the‘inflow of non-essen-tial consumer goods from sterling countries. India’s policy for dollai areas is not mentioned, although officials indicated last month that the same policy would apply to them.

The policy will become effective on July 1, and is expected to restrict imports to essential goods. All current import licences expire on July 30.

The New Delhi radio said that the Indian Government’s decision applied to imports from the United Kingdom and other Empire countries', except Canada, Newfoundland and South Africa. The Indian Government had decided to cancel forthwith certain open general licences applicable to imports from Ceylon, Portuguese possessions, and any country continguous to India’s land frontiers.

The Government’s withdrawal of open general import licences will have the greatest effect on Britain, New Zealand and Australia, and will give United States exports to India equality with British exports. The new move will restrict imports of non-essential consumer goods, but not capital goods, which are defined as any part worth at least £2OOO