Centre Urged To Hike Import Duties On Aluminium Products

A panel of industry experts and retired bureaucrats has called for urgent policy intervention to raise import duties on primary and downstream aluminium products to 10 per cent and impose a 7.5 per cent duty on aluminium scrap to check the surge in cheap imports coming into the country.

- AGENCIES

The step is seen to be in line with the approach adopted towards other key non-ferrous metals such as zinc, tin and lead.

Speaking at the webinar, 'Advancing Aluminium for Atmanirbhar Bharat: Key Imperatives', organised by Bureaucrats India, the panel said these measures are seen as critical for mitigating the surge in imports, which currently account for 56 per cent of domestic demand, and addressing the growing threat of India becoming a dumping ground for low-quality aluminium.

With import dependency on the rise, the panel warned of severe consequences for the country's economic self-reliance and sustainability goals.