Thiruvananthapuram: Kollam MP N K Premachandran has said that Centre had promised to take steps to impose anti-dumping duty (ADD) on imports of titanium dioxide from China. The assurance came after he, along with trade union representatives, submitted a memorandum and held discussions with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and revenue secretary Arvind Srivastava in New Delhi on Wednesday.Premachandran said that the low-priced imports from China have put the Indian titanium dioxide industry under severe pressure, with Kerala’s public sector units, Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) and Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, particularly affected.He urged Centre to complete the required procedures based on the findings of the directorate general of trade remedies (DGTR) and issue a gazette notification imposing anti-dumping duty without further delay.The continuing import pressure was adversely affecting domestic manufacturers, including KMML, in terms of production, capacity utilisation, market share and financial performance, he said. KMML provides direct and indirect employment to around 3,000 people, and the company’s difficulties therefore affect the livelihoods of several families, he added.Premachandran said the titanium dioxide sector had considerable potential for investment and expansion, and KMML was considering plans to increase its production capacity. However, the prevailing market conditions were making it difficult to proceed with such investments, he said.He said early implementation of the anti-dumping duty based on the DGTR’s final findings was necessary to ensure a level playing field for domestic manufacturers, protect Kerala’s public sector units and safeguard employment.“Any delay will cause further financial losses to the domestic industry. Centre should intervene urgently and issue the required notification,” Premachandran said.
