Aluminium makers hail hike in customs duty

This move will help Indian aluminium industry by checking influx of cheap imports, the industry said

Aluminium producers have welcomed the move to hike basic customs duty (BCD) on primary aluminium from five per cent to 7.5 per cent and on aluminium products from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent in the Union Budget 2016-17.

"On behalf of all the primary, secondary and downstream aluminium producers, I thank the Government of India for its proposal to increase the (BCD) on primary aluminium from five per cent to 7.5 per cent and on aluminium products from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent. This move will help Indian aluminium industry by checking influx of cheap imports," said T K Chand, chairman and managing director, National Aluminium Company (Nalco). Chand was recently appointed the president of the Aluminium Association of India (AAI).

The aluminium industry, however, expected a five per cent increase in BCD, Chand said. This Budget is a balanced one with focus on growth, he added.

K S S Murthy, general secretary of AAI, said that with the election of Chand as president, AAI will have assertive and affirmative approach in promoting the consumption of aluminium and boosting the growth of aluminium industry.