The Indian government plans to reduce the customs duty on soda ash. Soda currently attracts the peak customs duty of 35% along with the final products. The government has proposed to reduce it to 20%…
The Indian government plans to reduce the customs duty on soda ash. Soda currently attracts the peak customs duty of 35% along with the final products. The government has proposed to reduce it to 20%. The Vice-President of the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India said, “It seems the Government has buckled under US pressure. By reducing import duty to 20%, soda ash has been singled out by the Finance Minister, as import duty reduction on other chemicals is only to the extent of 10% on surcharge. Such a drastic reduction in import duty will encourage cheaper imports of soda ash, which will severely affect the domestic industry, and particularly quake-hit Gujarat, where 95% of soda ash manufacturing units are based”.