The government has decided to continue imposing anti-dumping duty of up to $ 515.94 per tonne on imports of a chemical from China, used in industries like pharmaceuticals and dyeing, for five more years to protect domestic industry. 

The restrictive duty on Sodium Nitrite, which is also used in the meat processing and textile sectors, was initially imposed in 2006. 

"The anti-dumping duty imposed shall be levied for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier)...," the Department of Revenue said in a notification. 

The decision comes following a review carried out by the government on continuation of duty on the product. The Commerce Ministry had recommended continuation of the duty. 

Anti-dumping duty on the product was originally imposed after it was found that consignments were exported to India from China at below the normal value. Based on a probe, it was concluded that the domestic industry had suffered a material injury due to dumping of the chemical at a predatory price. 

Anti-dumping duty is recommended by the Commerce Ministry, while the Finance Ministry imposes the same. 

Unlike safeguard duties, which are levied in a uniform way, anti-dumping duties vary from product-to-product and from country-to-country. 

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if domestic industry has been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports. 

As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime. Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level playing field to domestic players. It is not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in the cost of products.