Gold imports rose 19% at $ 34.32bn

New Delhi: Gold imports

surged 19.5 per cent to reach $ 34.32 billion in 2014

15 due to declining prices and easing of restrictions by

the RBI. Imports of the metal were $ 28.7 billion the previous fiscal, 2013- 14. Increase in gold imports impacts the country’s trade deficit, which has reached $ 137 billion in 2014- 15, and the current account deficit. The imports almost doubled in March to $ 4.98 billion which pushed the trade deficit to a four- month high

of $ 11.79 billion for the month, says data by com

merce ministry.