NEW DELHI:India has relied on imports to meet more than 90 per cent of its solar power sector requirements over the last three financial years, Power Minister R K Singh stated in a reply placed before the Parliament on Thursday.
“As per the Report dated July 16, 2018, from Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the quantum of imported solar cells/ modules is around 90 per cent,” Singh said. According to the minister, India met 92.11 per cent requirement of its solar equipment through imports in 2017-18 while the proportion was 91.57 per cent and 95.31 per cent in 2016-17 and 2015-16 respectively.
“Imports of solar cells/ modules PUC are taking place at very low prices resulting in drop in sales realisation of domestic industry thereby hampering the domestic industry’s ability to compete and make and sell the solar cells/ modules. However, this report has not commented on the issue of dumping,” he added.
The DGTR has recommended imposition of safeguard duty on imports of solar cells/ modules into India for two years which would be 25 per cent ad valorem in first year, 20 per cent ad valorem in the first half of second year and 15 per cent ad valorem subsequently.
Source: newindianexpress.com