Raipur, Raipur BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal objected to the "sharp" increase in cement prices by its manufacturers and demanded intervention by the Chhattisgarh government and the Center to reduce the cost rise.
Agrawal said the sudden rise in cement prices by Rs 50 per bag would affect infrastructure projects including roads, buildings, bridges, schools, colleges and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
In separate letters addressed on September 6 to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Competition Commission of India, Agrawal said that even though Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich state , iron, coal and energy resources, cement manufacturers, by forming a cartel, greatly increased prices since September 3.
The attitude of cement companies has become that of "looting" the innocent people of Chhattisgarh, he said, adding that the government should take strict action against cement manufacturers.
Mines, coal, power, cheap electricity and cheap labor are at the disposal of cement companies in the state where they have been exploiting all the resources. From raw materials to energy, everything needed for production is available at lower prices, the BJP leader said.
Every month, around 30 lakh tonnes (6 million bags) of cement is produced in Chhattisgarh. The price of cement per bag was around Rs 260 before September 3, and has increased to almost Rs 310. Similarly, cement for government and public interest projects will now be available at Rs 260 per bag, when earlier it cost Rs 210 per bag. , he said.
The sharp rise in cement prices by Rs 50 per bag will affect infrastructure projects including roads, buildings, bridges, canals, schools, colleges, anganwadi buildings and the PM housing scheme for the poor, Agrawal said.
The cost of all government projects will increase and it will be difficult for the poor to construct houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which is not in the interest of the state or the country, he said.
The former State Minister urged Chhattisgarh and the central governments to immediately call a meeting of cement companies and ask them to withdraw the price hike to ensure relief to the people of the state.
Agrawal said the sudden rise in cement prices by Rs 50 per bag would affect infrastructure projects including roads, buildings, bridges, schools, colleges and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
In separate letters addressed on September 6 to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Competition Commission of India, Agrawal said that even though Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich state , iron, coal and energy resources, cement manufacturers, by forming a cartel, greatly increased prices since September 3.
The attitude of cement companies has become that of "looting" the innocent people of Chhattisgarh, he said, adding that the government should take strict action against cement manufacturers.
Mines, coal, power, cheap electricity and cheap labor are at the disposal of cement companies in the state where they have been exploiting all the resources. From raw materials to energy, everything needed for production is available at lower prices, the BJP leader said.
Every month, around 30 lakh tonnes (6 million bags) of cement is produced in Chhattisgarh. The price of cement per bag was around Rs 260 before September 3, and has increased to almost Rs 310. Similarly, cement for government and public interest projects will now be available at Rs 260 per bag, when earlier it cost Rs 210 per bag. , he said.
The sharp rise in cement prices by Rs 50 per bag will affect infrastructure projects including roads, buildings, bridges, canals, schools, colleges, anganwadi buildings and the PM housing scheme for the poor, Agrawal said.
The cost of all government projects will increase and it will be difficult for the poor to construct houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which is not in the interest of the state or the country, he said.
The former State Minister urged Chhattisgarh and the central governments to immediately call a meeting of cement companies and ask them to withdraw the price hike to ensure relief to the people of the state.
