New Delhi, 18/01/2025: A group of industry experts and retired bureaucrats has called for the government to make changes in policy to protect and strengthen India’s domestic aluminium industry. They suggest increasing the import duties on primary and downstream aluminium products to 10% and adding a 7.5% duty on aluminium scrap. This would help reduce the country’s reliance on imported aluminium and encourage local production.
These suggestions are similar to the measures already taken for other non-ferrous metals like zinc, tin, and lead. The experts believe these changes are necessary to protect India’s aluminium industry and make it more competitive in the global market.
In a webinar titled ‘Advancing Aluminium for Atmanirbhar Bharat: Key Imperatives’, the panel discussed the growing issue of cheap aluminium imports, which now make up 56% of the demand in India. They raised concerns that India could become a dumping ground for low-quality aluminium, which would hurt local manufacturers and go against the country’s goals of being self-reliant and environmentally sustainable.
Experts like Jayadev Sarangi, a retired IAS officer, warned that the rising import dependence could be harmful in the long run. Other panellists, such as Binod K. Singh and Deba R. Mohanty, stressed that aluminium is important for national security, infrastructure, renewable energy, and defence. They urged the government to take action to protect local industries, create jobs, and support India’s shift to a more sustainable economy, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
