The central government has raised customs duty on a whopping 400 items in last two years, according to Indian Express report. The items like mobile phones, almonds, cell phone parts, apple, solar panels etc. However, the center’s move has marked clear cut departure from the policy of lowering import duty that has been followed by previous governments. Industry players and within sections of the government itself have criticized a few tariff hikes in the last two years. However, an official in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that hectic parleys have been started between India and the US on the issue of tariffs and that India would “stay compliant with all its commitments under the WTO”.

(Financial Express)