The Ministry of Steel has asked the Ministry of ?Finance to withdraw anti-dumping tariffs on low-ash metallurgical coke ‌imports, citing inadequate domestic supplies and higher prices, ?according to a government document reviewed ?by Reuters.

India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke - known as ‌met coke - imports in December for six months.

India primarily imports met coke ‌from China, Indonesia, Poland, Japan and Switzerland. Import ‌volumes ?are down sharply since the curbs were ?imposed, industry experts say.

"Concerns have emerged regarding the limited availability of met coke in the domestic market and a ?substantial increase in domestic ‌prices following the imposition of ADD, which has imposed a significant financial burden on steel manufacturers," the Steel Ministry said in a May 18 ‌office memorandum, referring to anti-dumping duties with ?an acronym.

The ministries did not respond to emails from Reuters seeking comment.

The Steel ?Ministry highlighted the difficulties faced by state-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), saying the company had been unable ‌to procure adequate quantities of met coke at reasonable prices from the domestic market, resulting in a 20% rise in input costs.

RINL, which is undergoing a government-backed financial revival, has seen its operational viability and competitiveness adversely affected by inadequate ‌supplies of met coke, the Steel Ministry memorandum said.

RINL did ?not respond to a Reuters email seeking comment.

The Steel Ministry also flagged ?concerns for small and medium-sized steelmakers, which rely heavily ?on merchant suppliers for met coke.

"The domestic market has not been able to ensure ‌adequate availability of met coke at competitive rates to meet the requirements of the steel industry," ?it said. 

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

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