CCI probe derails steel relief as collusion allegations hit Tata Steel and rivals

Safeguard duty arrived, then CCI flags collusion risk

The government’s December 30 safeguard duty on cheap steel imports offered a quick boost to domestic players like Tata Steel, JSW Steel and SAIL. But the momentum faded as a CCI probe alleged that major steelmakers may have colluded on pricing, raising the possibility that competition rules were breached. The industry now faces a “one step forward, two steps back” scenario.