Jaipur: The solar PV panel manufacturers have raised the issue of cheap imports from ASIAN countries before commerce minister Piyush Goyal when he was in the city last week.
They said that imports are coming from countries without any basic customs duty due to India’s free-trade agreements with them and it is making difficult for domestic manufacturers. They urged the minister to consider safeguard duty to curb the imports.
In the first two months of the current financial year, panel imports from Asian countries rose to 568 MW against 267 MW during last year.
Asian countries now account for 48% of the total imports, while the rest are from China. The Centre has imposed basic customs duty of 40% on panels imported from China.
Manish Gupta, president of North India Module Manufacturers of India, said, “We are concerned about the cheap imports solar panels from Asian countries on India solar manufacturing industry. The imports are coming under without any duty under FTA benefits is making it difficult for the Indian module manufacturers.”
During his meeting with the commerce minister Goyal, Gupta urged him to consider safeguard duty to curb imports and protect domestic manufacturers.
Goyal too assured that his ministry will look into the matter and take a decision accordingly so that the domestic businesses are protected.
Last year, India imported solar panels worth Rs 5,281 crore with China accounting for 87% of it.
However, the imports from Asian countries have surged in the first couple of months.
They said that imports are coming from countries without any basic customs duty due to India’s free-trade agreements with them and it is making difficult for domestic manufacturers. They urged the minister to consider safeguard duty to curb the imports.
In the first two months of the current financial year, panel imports from Asian countries rose to 568 MW against 267 MW during last year.
Asian countries now account for 48% of the total imports, while the rest are from China. The Centre has imposed basic customs duty of 40% on panels imported from China.
Manish Gupta, president of North India Module Manufacturers of India, said, “We are concerned about the cheap imports solar panels from Asian countries on India solar manufacturing industry. The imports are coming under without any duty under FTA benefits is making it difficult for the Indian module manufacturers.”
During his meeting with the commerce minister Goyal, Gupta urged him to consider safeguard duty to curb imports and protect domestic manufacturers.
Goyal too assured that his ministry will look into the matter and take a decision accordingly so that the domestic businesses are protected.
Last year, India imported solar panels worth Rs 5,281 crore with China accounting for 87% of it.
However, the imports from Asian countries have surged in the first couple of months.
