DGTR initiates probe on rising metallurgical coke imports

DGTR initiates probe on rising metallurgical coke imports

Subject: Economy

Section: External Sector 

Context: Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) begins probe into allegations of rising imports of low ash metallurgical coke for initiating safeguard duties.

Key Points:

• The notification by DGTR mentions that imports of met coke were found to be causing serious injury to the domestic industry in the recent period.
• Reason for increase in price of Indian coke:
  • Rise in imports have been attributed to factors like the Russia – Ukraine war impacting the key raw material price, coking coal, leading to increase in cost of production for Indian met coke.
  • Further with sanctions on Russia, China is having advantage in sourcing coking coal from Russia.
• Role of DGTR:
  • The DGTR under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry provides a level playing field to the domestic industry against the adverse impact of unfair trade practices.
  • Practices like dumping and actionable subsidies from any exporting country, by using trade remedial methods under the relevant framework of the WTO arrangements, the Customs Tariff Act & Rules and other relevant laws and international agreements, in a transparent and time bound manner.
  • It also provides trade defence support to our domestic industry and exporters in dealing with instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries.
  • The DGTR is a quasi-judicial body that independently undertakes investigations before making its recommendations to the Central Government.
  • It is the single national authority for administering all trade remedial measures including anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures.