VEHARI, April 9: An increase in cement prices has affected the construction work in the district and adjoining towns. People have complained that the cement rates have considerably gone up owing to its acute shortage here. Taking advantage of situation, they say, the dealers are fleecing them.

In Vehari and other adjoining areas including Burewala, Mailsi and Tibba Sultanpur, the dealers are charging Rs340 to Rs350 for a bag which was being sold at Rs250 until a couple of months ago.

The prices have rocketed by 35 per cent to 40 per cent during the last six month, though there is no official raise. The situation has badly affected the construction activities throughout the district, also rendering hundreds of people jobless.

People allege that many a stockist and dealer have created an artificial shortage through hoarding.

A government contractor said the cement shortage was creating problems. He said the cement prices in the country were almost double than in India where a bag cost Rs160 to Rs170.

Abdul Aziz, a dealer, said the traders had not increased the prices but the manufacturers were responsible for the situation as they were supplying it at inflated rates after the budget.

He claimed that the manufacturers were supplying cement on a large scale to the quake-hit areas of Kashmir, the NWFP and northern areas. Moreover, they had signed agreements of cement supply to Dubai, Afghanistan and Iraq for the rebuilding process.

Disturbed by the situation, people of the district have demanded that the authorities concerned should take stock of the situation and save the construction industry from huge loss.