The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bricks become stumbling block to Indiramma

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Bricks become stumbling block to Indiramma

S. Harpal Singh

Price negotiation meet for second phase of housing scheme

Demand outwits supply: Cement brick manufacturing units are the need of the hour with quantum jump in demand for in Adilabad district

ADILABAD: Bricks have now become a stumbling block to the progress of Indiramma houses in Adilabad district what with this essential component turning out to be too expensive with the demand-supply gap widenening by the day.

These factors have forced authorities to convene a meeting with brick manufacturers in Adilabad for negotiating the rate of supply for second phase Indiramma houses.

The brick manufacturers do not seem to be in a mood to negotiate a price lower than the current Rs. 2,500 plus for 1,000 pieces though. They have in fact, taken umbrage to being invited for the meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

Unorganised sector

Besides officials from housing department and revenue officials at mandal level who have a direct link with the work, the list includes officials from the commercial tax, industries, mines and geology departments who do not have a direct link to the Indiramma programme.

Brick industry survives in the realm of unorganised sector even now. Hence, manufacturers evade taxes and bypass ‘permits’ as a custom.

“The cost of production has gone up by 30 per cent with not only labour coming at a premium but coal and saw dust too cost more now.

Therefore, there is no chance for negotiating a rate that is below the Rs. 2,500 mark”, said a brick manufacturer on conditions of anonymity.

Production capacity of the 60-odd manufacturers in Adilabad town being ten crore bricks per year, it falls drastically short to meet the demand for Indiramma houses that is considerably higher.

The scenario cannot be more discouraging once the local demand for bricks is also taken into consideration.

The only solution lies in setting up of cement brick manufacturing units at a rapid pace.

About 20 such units are slated to go operational by the end of the month at village level while two units have started production at mandal level.

For more units to be opened, the Government needs to offer more incentives in terms of financial assistance and in time too.

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