Measures being taken to check anti-dumping activity: Govt

The government today said it was taking all measures to check anti-dumping activities by countries, especially China, and said consumer rights would be protected in cases where defective imported goods were sold.

"When complaints are found in imported goods action will be taken.... Fifty-three products have been banned from the import list," Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

He said import of Chinese products like toys, milk products and mobile phones without IMEI numbers have already been banned.

While toys and milk products were banned as they posed a health hazard, import of mobile phones without IMEI was banned on June 16, 2009, he said.

However, no blanket ban had been imposed on imports.

Sharma said the WTO Agreement empowers India to take action against countries, including imposition of anti-dumping duties on those indulging in such activities.

In reply to a question on products being smuggled through international borders into India, Sharma said the customs department was dealing with the issue but if there were some state-specific complaints the government would look into them.