The steel ministry is keeping a tab on steel imports into India after allegations by domestic steel majors of large scale dumping by China and East European countries. "We are keeping close watch on imports and will take steps if large scale import of steel is noticed," Union Steel minister Virbhadra Singh told a news agency.The steel majors have pointed out that despite rise in demand for steel by nine per cent there has been no improvement in prices. "Steel prices are a little soft due to excess capacity and dumping of steel by China and East European countries," Ispat Industries executive director Anil Sureka said. "The steel industry is of the opinion that safeguard duty should be imposed on import of HR coil in the country," he said.Tata Steel Managing Director H M Nerurkar recently said that there was global over capacity and whenever prices rise in India dumping takes place. SAIL chairman S K Roongta had also echoed similar view. Steel import attracts five per cent duty and steel majors have sought measures by the government to curb its import.Indian steel import during April to May 2009 stood at 0.95 million tonne marginally up from 0.920 million tonne in in the corresponding period last year.Imports in July surged 94 per cent to 0.56 million tonne against 0.28 million tonne in the corresponding period 2008.