Bharat seeks duty on Chinese import

BHEL has asked the Indian government to impose import duty on the equipment to ensure a level-playing field against Chinese players.

Admitting competition emerging from across the border, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Chairman and Managing Director BP Rao said, “Competition is bound to happen when there is huge opportunity. We are not worried about competition. But we are  facing disadvantage factors. We need level-playing field. We have moved the Plan Panel and we hope the government will impose import duty on power equipment.”

Rao expects the government to look into the matter seriously and hopes that in the forthcoming Budget, the Indian government cdan make a decision.

On the Chinese threat, he said: “The cost is no more an issue now as the Chinese companies sell the equipment more or less on the same price that of ours. We don’t see competition as we are an end-to-end player in the Indian market. We don’t supply equipment alone. We will ensure that Bhel continue to maintain and grow its market share and will be at high competitive edge.”

He added that more than 90 per cent  of those who have gone for Chinese equipment are getting a second set of equipment from Indian manufacturers.

“We have nothing to lose as the market throws huge opportunities for us,” he said. “Given the order book size of Rs 1,54,000 crore and continuous demand from number of customers, Bhel expects to cross the Rs 45,000-crore turnover by 2011-12 and will further grow substantially,” he added.