The Supreme Court has set aside the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission“s (MRTPC) injunction against import of soda ash. In its decision at the beginning of August, the Supreme Cour…
The Supreme Court has set aside the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission“s (MRTPC) injunction against import of soda ash. In its decision at the beginning of August, the Supreme Court held that MRTPC improperly issued the injunction. US Trade Representative Robert B Zoellick, while welcoming the Supreme Court decision, said it would “resolve a six-year-old trade dispute between the US and India.” After 1996 Indian tariff reduction on soda ash, the American Natural Soda Ash Corporation (ANSAC) sought to export a shipment. The Indian soda ash industry, claiming ANSAC used predatory pricing, sought and won an injunction from MRTPC. The injunction has now been set aside by the apex court. The Indian soda ash industry includes three companies that control over 85% of the Indian market. Soda ash in an essential raw material used in glass, detergents and other products.