The government plans to impose anti-dumping duty on imports of front axle beam and steering knuckles used in the production of commercial vehicles to guard the domestic industry from cheap Chinese shipments into the country.

The provisional anti-dumping duty to be imposed would be in range of $ 0.50 per kg to $0.69 per kg, a government official said.The Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has recommended to the commerce ministry imposition of the duty on imports of front axle beam and steering knuckles to check the damage to the domestic industry, he said.

However, the imposition of the duty is notified by the finance ministry. Acting on an application from Pune-based Bharat Forge Ltd on behalf of the domestic industry, DGAD had initiated the investigation into dumping of auto components from China. The DGAD in its recommendations has said the products have been exported to India below its normal value from China.

“The domestic industry has suffered material injury,” DGAD said, adding the injury has been caused by the dumped imports from China.

Published in Financial Express dated. 4.5.2009.