Weavers demand inquiry into anti-dumping duty proposal

Surat: Unhappy with the decision taken by Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) for imposing anti-dumping duty on imported nylon yarn, powerloom weavers have demanded vigilance inquiry by central government to protect the interests of the weaver community on Saturday.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they have raised doubts on the final findings by DGRT in connection with levy of anti-dumping duty on imported nylon yarn. The weavers stated that import of nylon yarn was in the range of 10-15% from China of domestic production of nylon yarn in Surat and other centres in the country.

On March 4, DGTR had proposed anti-dumping duty in the range of Rs30 to Rs70 per kilogram on import of yarn from China, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand to protect domestic yarn spinners. The decision was taken after a detailed investigation by DGTR regarding the injury to domestic spinners due to dumping of low-grade and cheap yarn in Indian market.

Pandesara Weavers’ Association president Ashish Gujarati said, “We have sought vigilance inquiry into the final findings by DGTR. Surat is the largest consumer of nylon filament yarn and the anti-dumping duty will only provide a platform to yarn spinners to form a cartel to increase yarn prices.”

Vimal Bokawala, a powerloom weaver who has demanded vigilance inquiry on behalf of weaver community, said, “It is only due to imported nylon yarn that prices of domestic spinners are well under control. If the anti-dumping duty is imposed, yarn prices will skyrocket, leaving weavers to either reduce production or shut the units.”

Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry chairman Bharat Gandhi said, “We demand fair play for weavers as well. Ultimately, they are the ones who manufacture the fabric. The government must take a lenient view on the present development.”