India's steel exports fell 25 percent to 2.75 million tonnes in the first four months of the fiscal year that began in April after the government imposed a tax on overseas sales in May, the Business Standard newspaper said on Tuesday.

    Imports rose 20 percent to 3.5 million tonnes between April and July, the paper said, quoting Steel Secretary P.K. Rastogi.

    Higher imports have raised availability in the domestic market by about 1.5 million tonnes, the paper said.

    India exported 5 million tonnes of steel in the year to March 2008, while imports were at 6.9 million tonnes, it said.

    The government, which is battling high inflation, has slapped a 15 percent export tax on long products like bars, rods and angles used in construction.

    It has also persuaded steel companies to keep domestic prices on hold since May.