(a) whether it is a fact that the local soda ash and ceramic manufacturers are suffering from import of ceramic products in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government to protect domestic ceramic industries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (c) : Directorate General of Anti-dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD) conducts anti-dumping investigations on the basis of duly substantiated application filed by the Domestic Industry (DI) alleging dumping of goods into the country causing injury to the DI. The basic intent of the anti-dumping measures is to eliminate injury caused to the DI by the unfair trade practices of dumping from exports from other countries and to create a level playing field for the DI.
Anti-dumping duty was imposed on Soda Ash imported from China PR, European Union, Kenya, Iran, Pakistan, Ukraine & USA vide notification dated 3.7.2012 and from Turkey and Russia vide notification dated 18.4.2013.
Based on the applications filed by All India Glass Manufacturers Federation, DGAD conducted Mid-term Review investigation in the abovementioned cases vide initiation notifications dated 21.7.2015 and 01.10.2015 respectively.
DGAD vide its final findings dated 23.9.2016 recommended revocation of anti-dumping duty in both the above mentioned cases. However, the disclosure statements issued by the authority were challenged by the domestic industry in the Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat. The Court has quashed the disclosure statements, subsequent final findings and the notifications issued by Department of Revenue and remanded back the case for issuance of fresh disclosure statement and final findings within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of the judgement.
DGAD also initiated an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Glazed/unglazed Porcelain/vitrified tiles in polished or unpolished finish with less than 3% water absorption” originating in or exported from China PR on 13.10.2015. Preliminary findings were issued on 11.3.2016 and provisional duty was imposed on the subject product for six months w.e.f. 29.3.2016. The Government has extended the period for completing the investigation and notifying the final findings upto 12.4.2017.
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