Imports of sensitive items like edible oil, tea, coffee, food grain, milk and dairy products increased drastically. Imports of milk and dairy products shot up nearly 600 per cent and food grains increased by 90 per cent between April and December 2009. Imports of edible oil rose to Rs 18,757 crore from Rs 10,933 crore in April-December 2008-09. Imports of milk and dairy products jumped from Rs 34.05 crore to Rs 234.44 crore, an increase of 588.4 per cent in April-December 2009. Tea and coffee imports went to Rs 219 crore in the period from Rs 130 crore.

These items contributed to 5.2 percent of the country’s total imports during April-December 2009 compared to about 3 percent the previous year. Other than these sensitive products overall imports declined by 17.6 percent to Rs 9, 27,969 crore from Rs 11, 26,199 crore during April-December 2009. Imports of sensitive items from Indonesia, China, Brazil, Malaysia, the US, Canada, Japan, Argentina and Australia have increased. And imports of these items from Korea, Germany and Thailand have shown a decrease. Food inflation is citied as a major reason for these imports.

The defence sector of India has always been woefully short of funds. While neighbours are strengthening their position along the borders, India is still to prepare itself with requisite infrastructure along the borders that it shares with Pakistan and China.

India is already acknowledged as world’s largest buyer of arms and ammunition and it seems that the funding will only increase now. It is believed that the due to the decision taken on increasing spending on buying of arms and ammunition, foreign arms merchants from all over the world are competing against one another to put a foot in this door.

In the upcoming four day defense exhibition, it is estimated that most of these merchants will be present with their merchandise. Currently, India spends about 2.5 percent of its GDP in buying foreign arms, however, viewing the robust economic growth in India, it is estimated that the spending will soon increase.

Still, the country’s ultimate goal is of self reliance and future policies will encourage manufacturing and testing of arms produced domestically.

Cement is among the biggest and the most significant industrial sectors in India. After China, India is the largest contributor in the global cement production. By the end of April 2009, total installed capacity in the sector was 219 MT. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the capacity is expected to touch 236.16 MT and 262.61 MT by the end of FY 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The cement industry is moderately fragmented with the top 20 players accounting for more than 70% of the market share and no single manufacturer has more than 12% of the share. Among the leading players in the cement industry are, Associated Cement Company Ltd (ACC), UltraTech, Dalmia Cements, Ambuja Cements Ltd, Madras Cement Ltd, J.K Cement Ltd., Grasim Industries Ltd, India Cements, and Holcim.

 Like other heavy industries, environmental concerns, including legal requirements, are significant for the cement industry. In the recent years, there have been various technological innovations, such that almost 93% of the current installed capacity is based on the environment-friendly dry process technology.

India’s ambassador to China Nirupama Rao will replace foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon who retires on July 31. Menon joins the PMO.

Rao, a 1973-batch IFS officer,is the senior-most of her batch. She will be the second woman foreign secretary after Chokila Iyer, appointed by the NDA.

more at – http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_nirupama-rao-to-be-india-s-next-foreign-secretary_1269820