|
DGTR reschedules oral hearing in anti-dumping probe on Soda Ash imports from USA, Russia, Turkey & Iran
|
|
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
May 29 , 2025
|
|
|
In a key development in India’s trade remedial actions, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has announced the rescheduling of the oral hearing in the ongoing anti-dumping investigation into soda ash imports from USA, Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The hearing, which was previously scheduled under the tenure of the outgoing Designated Authority, will now take place at 4:00 PM IST on June 12, 2025, in virtual mode, following a leadership change at DGTR.
Soda ash (sodium carbonate) has various pharmaceutical applications, including use in acid-base reactions, as an excipient in effervescent tablets, and as a pH-buffering agent in cosmetics. It's also used in the production of sodium bicarbonate, which has medicinal uses, and as a raw material for other pharmaceutical chemicals.
This procedural update comes in the wake of order dated May 14, 2025, and subsequent Gazette Notification issued on May 19, 2025, notifying the appointment of Siddharth Mahajan, joint secretary in the ministry of commerce & industry, as the new Designated Authority. He replaces Darpan Jain, who had previously been overseeing the matter.
The anti-dumping investigation was initiated following an application by the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI), representing a consortium of major Indian soda ash producers—RSPL Ltd, DCW Ltd, Nirma Ltd, Tata Chemicals Ltd, and GHCL Ltd. The applicant companies allege that imports from the four subject countries are being dumped into the Indian market at unfairly low prices, causing material injury and threat of material injury to the domestic industry.
The petition, which was filed in accordance with the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 and the Anti-Dumping Rules, 1995, seeks the imposition of anti-dumping duties to restore a level playing field for Indian producers.
The oral hearing, rescheduled for June 12, 2025, aims to allow all interested parties—both domestic and foreign producers/exporters to present their views, data, and arguments before the newly appointed Designated Authority. Given the switch to virtual mode, DGTR will share the meeting link via email with all registered parties.
According to the official notification signed by Rajiv Kumar Soni, Director, Foreign Trade (FT), this hearing will play a crucial role in evaluating the merit of the injury claims and determining whether remedial duties are warranted under India's trade laws.
Should the DGTR conclude that dumping has occurred and has materially injured the domestic industry, anti-dumping duties may be imposed on the imports from the identified countries. This move could significantly alter the competitive dynamics of the soda ash market in India and globally.
For the domestic chemical and pharmaceutical industries, a favourable ruling may offer price stability and safeguard industrial employment, while for downstream users of soda ash, any resultant cost increase could be a concern, especially in price-sensitive sectors.
The rescheduled hearing signals the DGTR’s commitment to due process and transparency amid internal administrative transitions. As global trade flows remain volatile, India’s proactive stance in defending its domestic industries through lawful means highlights the balancing act between free trade and fair trade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|