The state government on Friday cautioned the cement manufacturers against a major public unrest over sale of the commodity at exorbitant rates. The government took some initiatives to rein in the cement companies forming a cartel.
Major industries minister J. Geeta Reddy and endowments minister C. Ramachandraiah convened a meeting with the cement manufacturers including Bharati Cement owned by Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The representatives of Dalmia Cements, India Cement and Zuari Cement also took part in the meeting. The meeting was arranged in the backdrop of TD Rajya Sabha member C.M. Ramesh holding a fast in Kadapa in protest against high cement prices.
The government sought to know how the manufacturers could fix a higher price in districts like Kadapa, where the plants are located, and comparatively low prices in other places, including the twin cities.
“The cost should be low in Kadapa because of the low landing cost in the nearby areas,” Mr Ramachandraiah pointed out.
He accused the cement manufacturers of looting the national wealth, exploiting the locals and polluting land and water in the area and yet fixing a higher sale price.
“People will seriously react and it may turn into a law and order problem,” the minister said.
The representatives of cement companies reacted in a diplomatic manner and exuded confidence that the state government would not allow the law and order to worsen. “We don’t think that the government will encourage deterioration of law and order,” they said.
The representatives informed the ministers that they would discuss the issue with top management and revert to the government.