While debates are on whether to impose anti-dumping duty on solar products or not, a key Minister in the newly formed BJP-led government advised the Minister of Commerce not to pursue the decision of imposing anti-dumping duty on imported solar gear, according to a report from news agency PTI in India.
Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari asked Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to scrap the proposal to impose anti- dumping duty on solar power gear imports saying the levy will double the cost of the equipment.
In a letter to Sitharaman, he said: “The duty if imposed, it would escalate the cost of solar power by about 100 per cent.”
He said the indigenous manufacturers can be compensated with appropriate subsidy.
“I have a firm view that the indigenous solar cell industry, which is in nascent state, needs protection and nurturing,” Gadkari added.
The Commerce Ministry last month had recommended levying anti-dumping duty on solar cells imported from the US, Malaysia, China and Chinese Taipei.
The ministry had suggested restrictive duty in the range of USD 0.11-0.81 per watt.
The levy would be applicable on solar modules and cells assembled partially or fully, originating in or exported from these countries.