Hike in prices: Chandra Mohan Patowary warns cement companies

GUWAHATI: Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that cement companies avail of Government support like tax exemption, transport subsidies etc., and they must pass on the benefits to the people of the State. He warned them to refrain from the unnecessary and artificial price hike.

Patowary held a meeting with the leading cement and steel manufacturers of the State at Janata Bhawan on Monday. The meeting discussed all the issues and challenges faced by the cement and steel industries and arrived at solutions and strategies to mitigate them.

Cement companies like Topcem Cement, Star Cement, Dalmia Cement elaborated on issues — coal scarcity, price escalation of fuel, logistics, input freight etc. Likewise, representatives of the steel industry raised issues like fuel price hikes and international phenomena related to the import of necessary materials for the sector.

Industry Minister Patowary said, "The raw materials for the cement industry are available in the State. The companies have also availed Government support like tax exemption, transport subsidies etc. Hence these companies must pass on the benefits to the people of the State and refrain from the unnecessary and artificial price hike."

The Minister further said that cement prices in Assam should not be unreasonably higher than neighbouring states like Meghalaya and West Bengal.

Patowary warned the companies to avoid overloading to increase profitability. He asked the Transport Department to strictly enforce the motor vehicle laws in case of overloaded cement carrying trucks. He added that the Transport officials would regularly check the transport network of cement factories, cement storages and godowns etc. "The companies must share the details of cement storages and godowns with the concerned authority," said Patowary.

The Minister, while discussing with representatives of steel companies like KD Iron & Steel, Ma Durga Steel etc., stated that the Department is keeping a close watch on the price hike of steel products. "Price of steel is dependent of market dynamics, but must be well-regulated, generous, keeping in mind the larger interest of the people of the State," Patowary said in a press release.

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