Builders protest against cement price hike in Coimbatore

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Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Aug 21: Builders, including architects, structural and civil engineers, surveyors, real estate developers and masons staged a mass protest here on Tuesday, against hike in cement prices.

Protestors demanded action from the central and state governments to check price hike that has affected the overall construction industry.

Taking out a peaceful protest march across the city, the protestors, under the banner of Builders Association of India (BAI) and affiliated fora, termed the price hike by the cement manufacturers arbitrary, and accused major eleven cement companies of malpractices, despite a ruling by the government.

The price of one bag of cement that used to cost around Rs. 220 about two years ago, is being sold today at more than Rs. 350, said the protesting professionals.

Speaking to the mediapersons, K Vishwanathan, President of Tamil Nadu chapter of BAI said they have demanded that both the state and Central governments must intervene in the matter as the lobby of cement companies is running a monopoly cartel.

“There is a penalty of Rs. 63 billion to all the eleven prominent cement manufacturing companies who form the cartel. Inspite of that, the cement companies have not reduced the price. In fact they have increased the price. We are all fasting, staging sit-in and taking processions throughout Tamil Nadu,” Vishwanathan said.

Similar protest rallies were held elsewhere in Tamil Nadu and also in neighbouring Puducherry. (ANI)