Cement manufacturers asked to take steps to cut costs

The Tamil Nadu government today asked cement makers to take steps to reduce escalating cost of the key construction component, amid demand from various quarters, including the Opposition AIADMK, to control prices.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi chaired a meeting of top heads of the state government and cement manufacturers during which the government urged the latter to make efforts to reduce cement prices, which have been on the rise for the past few months.

The state government's action comes days after AIADMK Chief and Opposition leader Jayalalithaa asked it to take steps to stabilise the escalating cost of construction materials including cement in the state.
    
She had said prices of cement,iron bars and bricks had gone up by at least three times, thus affecting the common man.
    
An official press release here said that the cement industry was  represented by top officials including N Srinivasan (India Cements),  Ramasubramanya Raja  (Madras Cements), PN Prabhakar of Dalmia Cements and others from major players such as Zuari Cements, Penna Cements and ACC Cements.
    
The industry representatives assured Karunanidhi that they would meet among themselves to find an amicable solution and inform the government, the release added.