New Delhi, Apr 21 India today imposed a safeguard duty of 20 per cent on import of soda ash from China, as supplies of the key raw material for detergents increased from the neighbouring country harming the domestic industry.

The Department of Revenue notified the imposition of safeguard duty on the basis of findings stating," Increased imports of soda ash into India from the People&aposs Republic of China had caused. Market disruption to domestic industry of soda ash."

The deterrent duty on soda ash imports from China will remain in force up to November this year.

The decision on safeguard duty follows representations from the domestic manufacturers like Tata Chemicals, Nirma Ltd and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals, complaining that imports from China had surged and were affecting their interests.

The share of imports of soda ash from China in relation to domestic production have increased from 0.44 per cent in 2005-06 to 2.59 per cent in April-September 2008-09.