The government is considering raising import duty on aluminium products by as much as five per cent, among other policy measures, to tackle unabated import of cheap products adversely impacting the sector.
"Domestic industry is going through tough a time. Some firms have approached the Directorate General of Safeguards for a hike in safeguard duty. " If it doesnt happen, we in our pre- budget consultation with finance ministry will propose," Balvinder Kumar, mines secretary, told PTI.
He said the government was aware of the situation the industry is going through and would take appropriate measures.
When asked on the duty hike, he said, " We will propose to raise it to 7.5 or 10 per cent from the present five per cent." Sources said mining conglomerate Vedanta has approached the Directorate General of Safeguards, while Hindalco, flagship firm of the Aditya Birla Group, is going to. Last month, industry officials met Hasmukh Adhia in this regard.
Domestic producers are facing the twin problems of cheaper imports and meltdown in global prices.
Business Standard, New Delhi, 20th Nov. 2015
Comments
Post a Comment