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No move to regulate cement prices, says Government

The Government will not administer cement prices, despite manufacturers of the construction material resorting to frequent hikes in rates, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

However, to ensure the availability of cement in the market, public sector MMTC has been given a special dispensation licence to import the material, Minister of State for Commerce Ashwani Kumar said in a written reply.

The Government has also removed the 12.5 per cent import duty on the commodity, along with countervailing duty and special additional customs duty.

According to the Cement Manufacturers Association, cement prices in the country had climbed to Rs. 229 in July this year from Rs. 158 in December 2005.

At present, anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC is hearing nine cases against cement producers on whether a cartel was pushing up prices. — PTI

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