Minister for Large and Medium Industries R.V. Deshpande has urged the Union government to impose an anti-dumping levy on the import of Chinese tyres into the country.
(landmark rollout:Ministers R.V. Deshpande and H.C. Mahadevappa at the rollout of the 10 millionth truck radial tyre from JK Tyre Industries’ Vikrant plant in Mysuru on Monday. JK Tyre chairman Raghupathi Singhania and director Arun K. Bajoria are seen.— PHOTO: M.A.SRIRAM)
Speaking at a function organised to mark the roll out of the 10 millionth truck radial tyre from JK Tyre’s Vikrant plant at Mysuru on Monday, Mr. Deshpande said the tyre industry in India was faced with the challenge of Chinese tyres being made available at cheaper rates in the country. China is dumping its tyres, which cost 40 to 50 per cent lesser than Indian tyres, here, thereby affecting the Indian tyre industry, he said.
‘End unfair pricing’
Though he was not against China marketing its tyres in India, the Minister said that the neighbouring country should not send poor quality tyres and indulge in unfair pricing that would only prove detrimental to the Indian industry.
He referred to the curbs imposed by the Centre on the import of steel and said the Union government should similarly bail out the tyre industry.The Minister said he would raise the issue during his meeting with Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Friday.
‘Research important’
Mr. Deshpande, who complimented JK Tyre for its investment in research and development and product development, said he was glad that the Indian tyre industry had realised the value of research in the last 10 to 15 years. He pointed out that 21st Century was one of quality and competitiveness. “If this radial tyre is in demand today, it is because of its quality,” Mr. Deshpande said.
JK Tyre, which took over the State-owned Vikrant plant in 1997 and turned it around with an investment of over Rs. 1,200 crore, unveiled its 10 millionth truck radial tyre on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman and Managing Director of JK Tyre and Industries Ltd. Raghupati Singhania said the company started in 1977 with its first tyre plant in Rajasthan which had an annual capacity of 5 lakh tyres. The company pioneered in the field of radial technology in India and was the first to introduce truck and bus radial tyres way back in 1999. “Today, we manufacture a complete range of tyres — from a three-kg scooter tyre to the 3.7 tonnes ultra large OTR (Off The Road) tyre,” he said.
