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| June 27, 2005 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1426 |
Hoarding of cement hits construction
SIALKOT, June 26: Shortage of cement and the resulting increase in its price is adversely affecting the ongoing construction projects. Various builders complained that the cement shortage in the market was created artificially by the stockists and dealers through large-scale hoarding.
They alleged the stockists and dealers were selling cement from Rs280 to Rs360 per bag instead of the official rate of Rs240 in Sialkot city, Daska, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Uggoki, Pasrur, Satrah, Chawinda, Badiana, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Kot Nainaan, Baddo Malhi, Noor Kot, Narowal and surrounding rural areas.
They said this hike in cement price had disrupted construction activities in the district.
They urged the government to take measures to curb blackmarketing of cement to overcome shortage and brining down the inflated prices.
GUJRANWALA: The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over increase in the prices of cement and other building material, and demanded the government that it should check price hike immediately.
The chamber office-bearers said a cement bag was being sold in the market at Rs350.
They said this hike was hampering construction work in government as well as private sectors.
They alleged that manufacturers in connivance with dealers and stockists were fleecing consumers by charging higher prices of cement in black market.
They pointed out that the price of a cement bag in India was Rs150, while local manufacturers were charging up to Rs350 for the same, which was the result of wrong policies of the government.
They suggested that Indian cement should be imported if local manufacturers were not willing to reduce prices immediately.
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