F No. 12/1/99-DGAD.- -M/s Birla VXL Ltd., M/s. DCW, M/s. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. and M/s. Tata Chemicals Ltd. have filed a petition, on behalf of the domestic industry, in accordance with the customs Tariff (Amendment) Act, 1995 and Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping duty on dumped articles and for determination of duty) Rules, 1995 before the Designated Authority (hereinafter referred to as the Authority) alleging dumping of Di Sodium Carbonate popularly known as Soda Ash from CNna (hereinafter referred to as subject country) and have requested for Anti-g investigation and levy of anti-dumping duties.

2. Domestic industry standing: The petition has been filed by M/s Birla VXL Ltd. registered office, Aerodrornne Road, Jamnagar-361006, Mrs DCW, Dhrangadhra-363315, Gujarat; Mrs Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd., Bhikubhai Chambers, 1st floor, Swasfk Society, Navrang Pura, Ahmedabad-380009 and M/s Tata (henueals Ltd, Bombay house, 24, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai-400001 The petition is supported by M/s Tuticorm Alkali Chemials and Fertilizers Ltd. and M/s. Punjab National Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. The petitioners jointly and with the support of M/s. Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. and M/s Punjab National Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd., prima-facie satisfy the standing to file the petition on the behalf of the domestic industry.

3. Product involved: The product involved in the present investigation is Disodium Carbonate popularly known as Soda Ash (Na2Co3) (herein referred to as subject goods), originating in or exported from .the subject country and classified under Customs Sub-heading 2836.20 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The classification is however, indicative only and is in no way binding on the scope of the present investigation.

4. Countries involved: The petitioner has alleged dumping of subject goods from China (herein referred to as subject country).

5. Like articles: The petitioner has claimed that the goods produced by them and as classified by Custom Tariff under head 2836.20 have no substitute and can be used interchangeably with the goods imported from subject country and have sane end use, and, therefore, be treated as like articles to the goods imported from the subject country within the meaning of the rules.

6. Normal value: The petitioner has claimed normal value based on a secondary source evidencing domestic prices of the subject goods in the subject country.

7. Export Price: The petitioner has claimed export price based on the import documents evidencing export price to India.

8. Dumping margin: There is sufficient prima-facie evidence that the normal value of the subject goods in the subject country is significantly higher than the price at which it has been exported to India indicating prima-facie that the subject goods are being dumped by the exporters from the subject country.

9. Injury: Various parameters relating to injury such as decline in capacity utilization, loss of market share, drop in sales realisation and rising inventory etc., collectively and cumulatively prima-facie indicate that domestic industry has suffered material injury on account of dumping.

10. Initiation of anti-dumping investigation: The authority in view of the foregoing paragraphs initiates anti-dumping investigation into the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from subject country.

11. Period of investigation: The period of investigation for the purpose of present investigation is 1.4.98 to 30.6.99.

12. Submission of Information: The exporters in the said country and importers in India known to be concerned are being addressed separately to submit relevant information in the form and manner prescribed and make their views known to

Mrs. Rathi Vinay Jha, Designated Authority & Additional Secretary Government of India Ministry of Commerce Udyog Bhavan New Delhi-110011.

Any other interested party may also make its submissions relevant to the investigation in the prescribed form and manner within the time limit set out below.

13. Time limit: Any information relating to the present investigation should be sent in writing so as to reach the authority at the address mentioned above not later than 40 days from the date of publication of this notification. The known exporters and importers who are being addressed separately are however, required to submit the information within 40 days from the date of letter addressed to them separately.

14. In terms of rule 6(7) any interested party may inspect the public file containing non-confidential versions of the evidence submitted by other interested parties after expiry of time set out.

15. In case where any interested party refuses access to or otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may records its findings on the basis of the facts available to it and make such recommendations to the Central Government as deemed fit.

RATHI VINAY JHA…

Designated Authority