Parliament Question: Steps to protect Stainless-Steel Products Industry

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3984 FOR ANSWER ON 27.03.2026 STEPS TO PROTECT STAINLESS-STEEL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY 3984. SHRI JAGGESH: Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the domestic stainless-steel sector has requested Government support to address dumping of stainless-steel products from China in the Indian market; (b) whether Government has received representations from the industry seeking removal of customs duties on imported scrap and ferro alloys to lower production costs; (c) whether the stainless-steel industry has urged the Government to classify chromium as a critical mineral to ensure adequate domestic supply of raw materials; and (d) whether Government is aware that increasing imports and trade restrictions in western markets are adversely affecting India’s stainless-steel industry? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL (a)to(d): Steel is a deregulated sector and the Government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector in the country. The decisions regarding import and export are taken by the steel companies based on techno-commercial considerations and market dynamics. The details of finished steel export and import during the last three financial years and current financial year is as under: - Finished Steel Trade Year (in ‘000 tonnes) Export Import 2022-23 6716 6022 2023-24 7487 8320 2024-25 4858 9551 April-February 6017 5621 2025-26* Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); *provisional Government has taken following steps to safeguard domestic producers:- In the Union Budget 2026-27, following measures were taken to support domestic manufacturers and boost domestic steel manufacturing:- a. Nil Basic Customs Duty (BCD) has been continued on Ferro-Nickel. Contd…..2/-: 2 : b. The basic custom duty exemption has been extended up to 31.03.2028 on Ferrous Scrap, Magnesium Oxide (MgO) coated cold rolled steel coils for use in manufacture of cold rolled grain oriented steel and Specified goods for the manufacture of cold rolled grain-oriented steel. Anti Dumping Duty (ADD) measures pertaining to some steel products like seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron, alloy, or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel) (from China PR), electro-galvanized steel (from Korea RP, Japan, Singapore), stainless-steel seamless tubes and pipes (from China PR), welded stainless steel pipes and tubes (from Vietnam and Thailand), Hot rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel (from Vietnam), Cold Rolled Non-Oriented Electrical Steel (from China PR), are currently in place. Government has initiated anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of "Cold rolled flat products of Stainless Steel 300 and 400 series" originating in or exported from China PR, Indonesia and Vietnam based on the application filed by Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) on behalf of domestic industry. *****