(With inputs from PTI)

NEW DELHI: In an effort to narrow the current account deficit (CAD), the government on Wednesday increased import duty on 19 'non-essential items' which include air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and ATF (aviation turbine fuel).Rates on compressor for air conditioners and refrigerators are also hiked to 10 per cent from current 7.5 per cent. Also, with the rise in import duty on jet fuel, flying may become costlier. The new import duty rate on ATF will now be 5 per cent from nil earlier.The ministry of finance in a statement said, "The Central government has taken tariff measures, by way of increase in the basic customs duty , to curb import of certain imported items. These changes aim at narrowing the CAD."The new rates will be effective from midnight.Total import bill on account of shipment of these items into the country last fiscal was Rs 86,000 crore, the finance ministry's statement added.The import duty was doubled to 20 per cent on ACs, refrigerators and washing machines (less than 10kg).The new tariffs on speakers, footwears, radial car tyres, tableware, kitchenware and other household items of plastics are up to the tune of 5 per cent.The articles of jewellery, goldsmith and silver wares will now attract a duty of 20 per cent from 15 per cent earlier.Curbing non-essential imports was part of the five-pronged steps announced by the government to check widening current account deficit and capital outflows.Large trade deficit and the rupee's decline against the US dollar are putting pressure on the CAD, and these steps are likely to have a positive impact on the external sector.The CAD, the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange, widened to 2.4 per cent of GDP in the April-June quarter.