The Directorate General of Trade Remedies has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into hot rolled flat products of alloy and non-alloy steel imported from China, Japan and Russia following requests from domestic producers. The notification, issued by the federal trade ministry, said JSW Steel, JSW Vijaynagar Metallics Limited and Jindal Steel Odisha had alleged injury from cheaper shipments. The action follows formal petitions and initiates an administrative examination under trade remedy laws. The firms contended that imports at dumped prices were harming the domestic industry and would likely continue to cause harm unless measures were taken. The probe covers hot rolled flat products of steel of up to 25 mm thickness and will examine whether dumping and resultant injury have occurred, the notification said, setting the framework for collection of data from exporters, importers and buyers. The scope clarifies product types under review and is intended to focus on items widely used by construction and manufacturing sectors. Provisional trade data reviewed by Reuters showed China exported around 232,000 tonne (t) of finished steel to India in April, more than double prior levels and the highest in at least two years, making China the top supplier for that month. Market participants have been drawn to shipments that are cheaper by between 11 and 37 dollars per tonne (t) compared with local prices, according to the data. Sudden surges in shipments have placed pressure on domestic margins and strengthened calls for protective measures from industry participants. The inquiry is expected to assess the magnitude of injury to local producers and determine any anti dumping duties that may be recommended to the government. The investigation will inform policy steps to balance trade competitiveness and domestic industry viability while stakeholders await the DGTR findings and possible provisional measures. Domestic producers and trade groups will now prepare submissions as the DGTR proceeds to determine anti dumping margins and any provisional measures in accordance with procedure.