New Delhi, Apr 20 Stainless steel importers today asked the government to hold open discussions with them before taking a final call on levying anti-dumping duty on the alloy.
In a letter to Revenue Secretary P V Bhide, the importers said the proposed anti-dumping duty on stainless steel will adversely affect the end-user industry, as it has to import a certain grade of the alloy, which is not available locally.
" Over 5,000 units, which make stainless steel utensils and cutlery for domestic use and also for exports, are facing closure after being hit by the global downturn. The proposed anti-dumping duty will only aggravate the things,"All India Stainless Steel Industries Association President P Mehta said.
Sharing similar views, Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India President Pradip P Dave said the proposed duty would have serious implications on chemical industry, as it imports stainless steel of a special grade and size, which is not produced by domestic manufacturers.
The Commerce Ministry last month recommended imposing an anti-dumping duty of up to USD 1,823 a tonne on stainless steel imported from eight countries, including China, EU, Korea, Japan and the US.
The duty was recommended on the basis of a petition filed by JSL Ltd, the country&aposs largest producer of stainless steel.
Source : www.indopia.in