Indian milk cream and butter oil imports has recorded a huge increase from 1,720 % to Rs 39.33 crore in 2008-09 from only Rs 2.16 crore in the year 2007-08.
As per the official data, imports of milk & milk products have also increased by 181% to Rs 55.91 crore in the last fiscal.
RS Sodhi, chief general manager, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing (GCMM), stated, "We have approached the Commerce Ministry seeking the increase in duty on import of butter oil to 40%."
Moreover, imports of other items sensitive to the interest of the small scale and the farm sectors recorded a jump of 27.7% to Rs 45,877 crore in 2008-09 from Rs 35,919 crore in the previous year. These include edible oil, fruit and vegetables, alcoholic beverages, tea and coffee, automobiles, cotton and silk, rubber, marble and granite.
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