New Delhi, May 20 (KNN) To safeguard the domestic industry from excessive dumping, the Finance Ministry has extended anti-dumping duty on sodium citrate -- a key pharmaceutical ingredient – imported from China.

The government has extended duty protection on sodium citrate -- a key pharmaceutical ingredient – imported from China for another five years after an investigation found that there has been continued dumping of the Chinese product in India hampering the domestic industry, said Finance Ministry.

"There is continued dumping of the subject goods from subject country and the imports are likely to enter the Indian market at dumped prices in the event of expiry of duty," an order issued by the ministry has said.

The duty protection, which was imposed by the department of revenue on May 20, 2015 was to expire on Tuesday.

After a thorough investigation, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) earlier known as the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties on April 30 recommended to extend the anti-dumping duty on imports of sodium citrate from China for another five years.

Sodium citrate is a key chemical compound that comes in the form of monosodium citrate, disodium citrate and tri sodium citrate. It is mainly used as an expectorant and a urine alkanizer. It is also used as a pharmaceutical aid and as a food additive in dairy industries for manufacturing of cheese and beverages. (KNN Bureau)