HP govt adopting double standards on setting up of cement

BJP today lashed out at Congress-led Himachal government of adopting double standards on setting up of cement plants and plundering precious natural resources to benefit cement manufacturing companies.
"Congress was opposed to setting up of more cement plants, but now it has allowed Reliance to set up the state's biggest cement plant," state BJP vice-president Ram Swaroop Sharma said.
"It is a serious matter as the stated stand of Congress in and outside Assembly is, it would not allow setting up of more cement plants in the state in case companies did not cut cement prices in the state and now the volte-face of the party on this issue is baffling," he said.

So far, cement plants set up in the state have capacity of 1-2 million tonnes but, Reliance has been given permission to set up a 5-million tonne capacity plant, which raises questions on the government's intensions, Sharma said adding that the government must explain reasons for "change in heart" to the people.
Cement plants caused pollution and mining was a major threat to environment and ecology of the fragile hills, but the government is more concerned about the "interests" of manufacturers, instead of protecting the larger interests of people.