VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to put an end to cartelisation by cement manufacturing companies in the State, the builders’ Joint Action Committee, which includes APREDA, CREDAI and CRBA, has decided to import cement from Sri Lanka, China and Bangladesh in protest against the abnormal hike of cement prices by the manufacturers.
Importing cement from the eastern countries will help in reducing the per bag price by about `30, which will eventually benefit the consumers as construction prices will come down, the builders argued.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, JAC member Ch Sudhakar said, “We have decided to import cement as the manufacturing firms have abnormally hiked the prices by over 60 per cent without any reason. Cartelisation without a reason has become a regular phenomenon and hence we have decided to find an alternative for it,” he added.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed cabinet ministers to form a sub-committee and have a dialogue with cement manufacturing firms on Monday.
“We will see the outcome of the meeting. Even if there is a positive response, we will keep channels of import open for the future also,” said APREDA president GSS Prasad.
CRBA member V Subba Rao said,“The realty sector is already in a slump after demonetisation. Now, the price hike will have a negative impact on the sector.”