The Hindu : Front Page : MRTP Act for cement price check?

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Saturday, Apr 19, 2008
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MRTP Act for cement price check?

Special Correspondent

GoM to take final decision today; Joint Collectors asked to verify stocks

Alternatives suggested include import of cement
Mareppa, Kasu hold a meeting with senior officials

HYDERABAD: The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to suggest measures to check the steep rise in price of cement would discuss and may suggest invoking provisions of the Monopolies Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act against cartelisation by cement companies.

The GoM with Finance Minister K. Rosaiah as chairman would meet on Saturday to take a final decision. The Secretary-level committee meeting held here on Friday decided to refer the proposal to the GoM, according to an official press release.

Cancellation of lease

The committee also suggested some other alternatives to the GoM, including import of cement and cancellation of mining lease of limestone where the companies did not start work after taking lease.

The Secretary-level meeting convened by Principal Secretary, Finance, was attended by Special Chief Secretary, Energy, and Principal Secretaries, Housing and Industries, Civil Supplies Commissioner, Director General of Vigilance and Enforcement, Director of Mines and Geology and Director of Factories. They held detailed discussions as a prelude to the meeting of GoM in which Ministers for Finance, Commercial Taxes, Housing, Major Irrigation and Industries would be present.

Private godowns

Meanwhile, the State government has asked Joint Collectors and marketing authorities in all districts to verify stocks in public and private godowns, market yards and rythu bazaars from Saturday as part of steps to check hoarding and curb rise in prices of essential commodities.

Disclosing this to mediapersons on Friday, Marketing Minister M. Mareppa said the government would initiate stern action if hoarding came to light. No one, however big, would be spared.

Mr. Mareppa and Civil Supplies Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy who are part of the Group of Ministers later held a meeting with senior officials to discuss recommendations to the government which they were supposed to submit by Saturday. Civil Supplies Commissioner Poonam Malakondiah and Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of AP Civil Supplies Corporation I. Sri Naresh were present.

The GoM would recommend short-term measures which would bring down prices immediately, Mr. Mareppa added.

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