India's Steel Ministry Opposes Import Limits on Key Steelmaking Ingredient
Steel

India's Steel Ministry Opposes Import Limits on Key Steelmaking Ingredient

India's Ministry of Steel has expressed opposition to limiting imports of low ash metallurgical coke, an essential raw material for steel production, according to a source familiar with the matter and a government note reviewed by Reuters. This stance could hinder local producers who have raised concerns about rising imports since 2019/20.

In April, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the trade ministry, recommended capping these imports at 2.85 million metric tons for a year, following complaints from local producers. The final decision, however, rests with the commerce ministry, which has yet to comment.

The steel ministry?s resistance to import restrictions is driven by strong domestic demand and issues with the quality of local production. ?The domestic merchant producers of coke are not fully capable of meeting the demand of met coke of the country, particularly on quality grounds,? stated Nagendra Nath Sinha, the ministry?s top civil servant, in a letter to the trade ministry dated May 29.

India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, has seen its imports of low ash metallurgical coke surge over 61% in the past four years, primarily from China, Indonesia, and Poland. The ministry warned that adopting DGTR?s recommendations could disrupt supply chains, production, and the steel industry?s downstream customers.

A senior executive at a major steel mill, requesting anonymity, highlighted that import restrictions would elevate steel prices and increase costs for coking coal, further burdening smaller steel producers.

India's Ministry of Steel has expressed opposition to limiting imports of low ash metallurgical coke, an essential raw material for steel production, according to a source familiar with the matter and a government note reviewed by Reuters. This stance could hinder local producers who have raised concerns about rising imports since 2019/20. In April, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the trade ministry, recommended capping these imports at 2.85 million metric tons for a year, following complaints from local producers. The final decision, however, rests with the commerce ministry, which has yet to comment. The steel ministry?s resistance to import restrictions is driven by strong domestic demand and issues with the quality of local production. ?The domestic merchant producers of coke are not fully capable of meeting the demand of met coke of the country, particularly on quality grounds,? stated Nagendra Nath Sinha, the ministry?s top civil servant, in a letter to the trade ministry dated May 29. India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, has seen its imports of low ash metallurgical coke surge over 61% in the past four years, primarily from China, Indonesia, and Poland. The ministry warned that adopting DGTR?s recommendations could disrupt supply chains, production, and the steel industry?s downstream customers. A senior executive at a major steel mill, requesting anonymity, highlighted that import restrictions would elevate steel prices and increase costs for coking coal, further burdening smaller steel producers.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Development of ICT in Indian Judiciary through e-Courts Phases

The eCourts project, launched under the National eGovernance Plan in 2007, is a Mission Mode Project aimed at modernisng the Indian judiciary through the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The initiative is grounded in the "National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of ICT in the Indian Judiciary" and has been implemented in multiple phases. Phase I (2011–2015) focused on the computerization of judicial infrastructure and ensuring connectivity across courts. During this phase, 14,249 district and subordinate courts were computerised, and Local Area Networks ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Minority Affairs Minister to Launch PM VIKAS Project via DGSMC

On 29th March 2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs will launch a new program under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, aimed at enhancing skill development and educational support for minority communities. The initiative, which will be implemented by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), will benefit a total of 31,600 candidates across the country. Out of the total beneficiaries, 29,600 individuals will receive skill training in industry-relevant fields, while 2,000 candidates will receive educational support. The training will focus on job roles ali..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DARPG and Bhashini Launch Multilingual Tool for Citizen Grievances

To enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and responsiveness of the grievance redressal system, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has signed a Master Service Agreement with Digital India Bhashini on March 28, 2025. This agreement marks the implementation of a multimodal, multilingual e-Governance solution for the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), in line with the directive of the Prime Minister of India to bring qualitative improvements to citizen service delivery. The new solution aims to empower citizens from diver..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?