Shimla : After ignoring the Himachal Pradesh government’s directions for months to reduce the prices of cement , companies have finally agreed to reduce the prices , a spokesman of the state government said here today .
“All the three cement companies in the state , ACC , Ambuja and Jaypee have agreed to reduce the price of a 50 kg cement bag by Rs 25 with immediate effect ,†the official said .
This was revealed after a meeting by the state chief minister P.K.Dhumal with the representatives of the companies earlier today .
The state government has also directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that the price list of the revised cement rates is displayed by all retail dealers .
The prices of cement for the past few months were at least Rs 25 more than the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana .
The opposition Congress had been criticising the ruling BJP for not being able to bring down the prices .
A week ago the state’s industry minister had even warned firms that the state could withdraw government incentives if the prices were not brought down .
ON the other hand the cement makers argued that the prices of cement were decontrolled by the Centre the state government’s could not force them to bring down prices .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
