New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) India may impose provisional anti-dumping duty of Rs 137 per square meter on ceramic glazed tiles imported from China to protect the domestic industry against damages from cheap rivals.

The Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has recommended to the Commerce Ministry for imposition of the duty on imports of ceramic tiles, an official said.

The Directorate's recommendation comes on the basis of its findings that increased imports has caused "material injury" to the domestic industry, he said.

Leading producers H&R Johnson and Kajaria Ceramics Ltd had filed a petition for imposing anti-dumping duty.

"It is a very positive step. Tile imports which was happening mostly from China accounted for 10-12 per cent of the total market which is estimated 400 million square meter in 2008-09," Kajaria Ceramics CMD Ashok Kajaria told PTI.

Kajaria said the profitability of Indian manufacturers had come under pressure because of the imports.

The DGAD in its recommendations has said that the tiles have been exported to India below its normal value from China.

"The domestic industry has suffered material injury," it said adding that the injury has been caused by the dumped imports from China.

Recently, India imposed anti-dumping duties on import of fabric, yarn and on some steel products. The duty is, however, notified by finance ministry.

Source: www.ptinews.com