Prices of cement increase by Rs 40 per bag in Himachal
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, May 18
Amid coronavirus pandemic lockdown the cement prices in Himachal have increased by about Rs 40 per bag.
Enquiries by The Tribune revealed that the price of cement bags that was Rs 360 per bag in March before the lockdown was imposed in the country has risen to Rs 400 per bag.
A sudden 10 per cent increase in prices of cement imposed by the companies has hit the people who were carrying constructions in private and government sectors. Navneet Thakur, a government contractor, said this increase in prices would hit all those who have government contracts. The rates were quoted by contractors after the earlier cost of cement prices. However, this sudden increase would make their contracts unviable.
Sanjeev Kumar who was constructing his hotel in Dharamsala said the government was asking people to restart constructions that would rekindle economic activity. However, this sudden increase in cement prices would further burden people who are already in economic distress, he said.
High prices of cement have always been a political issue in Himachal. Cement prices in Himachal earlier also were higher than adjoining states despite the fact that it was manufactured here and limestone mines that are main ingredient of cement are also located in the state.
Political leaders especially the opposition leaders have been accusing the ruling party for failing to check the prices of cement despite the fact that it was manufactured in the state.
Senior Congress leader and former minister GS Bali told The Tribune that this 10 per cent increase in prices of cement was unjustified and illegal. “Though cement was a decontrolled commodity the government cannot allow cartelisation on the part of cement companies.”
“Increase in cement prices are likely to increase the cost of all government works and so would also burden the state exchequer. The private individuals are trying to rebuild their business after ease in lockdown would also be hit hard,” he said.
The price hike is likely kindle political heat in Himachal amid coranavirus lockdown.
