NEW DELHI: The Indian Colour Television industry has raised concern over the Commerce Ministry's recommendations to levy an anti-dumping duty on imported colour picture tubes, saying it will lead to a considerable rise in the production cost here.

The Commerce Ministry in its preliminary findings submitted to the Finance Ministry suggested that a anti- dumping duty of 10 per cent be levied on CPTs being imported from countries like China, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand.

"Imposing anti-dumping duty of more than 10 per cent will increase the cost of manufacturing in the country and the companies who have invested heavily in setting up their base in India will be discouraged," Consumer Electronics and Appliance Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) President Ravindra Zutshi told reporter here.

They may have to eventually shift their base to some other country," he added.

Zutshi said, the Commerce Ministry has already forwarded the preliminary findings to the Finance Ministry and the proposal, when cleared, will affect the growth of colour TV industry in the country and consumers would eventually have to bear the burden of increased production cost.

As per CEAMA's immediate Past President Anoop Kumar, the cost of a 14 inch TV would go up by 10 per cent, by 10-13 per cent rise in case of a 21 inches TV, while for a 29 inches TV it would be over 20 per cent.

The Anti-dumping Division of Commerce Ministry, based on the data submitted by the exporters and importers, has decided to levy anti-dumping duty on imports of CPTs. The application was filed by the two domestic manufacturers of colour picture tubes, Samtel Color and JCT Electronics.

16 May, 2008, 2124 hrs IST, PTI

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com