SHILLONG: Concerned over the rise in the price of cement in the State, All Meghalaya Contractors & Suppliers Association (AMC&SA) on Wednesday met acting Chief Secretary PBO Warjri to raise the matter about the decision of the cement plants operating in the State to fix the rate of cement as per the market rate which is prevailing in Assam.
“We have briefed the Chief Secretary about the sudden rise of the price of cement in the State. We have questioned as to why the price of the cement should be driven by the market rate in Assam,” AMC&SA general secretary BL Nongbri told newsmen after meeting Warjri here on Thursday.
He said that the price of cement should be cheaper in the State considering the number of cement plants which are operating in the State.
“We are all aware that these plants not only exploit our natural resources but also enjoy various kinds of subsidies from the Government. We really fail to understand why the cement rates are being determined as per the Assam rate,” AMC&SA general secretary said.
He said that the Government should take steps to see that the cement plants bring down the price of cement for the interest of the people of the State.
“In the past, the contractors were given special subsidy by the cement plants. A contractor who is able to utilise 1000 packets on a single day was offered a price of Rs 240 per packet of cement. Now, this kind of benefits are not longer applicable with the rise in the price of cement,” Nongbri said while adding that the sudden rise of the price of cement in the market has badly affected the contractors.
“We cannot afford continue with our job if the price of cement is fixed at Rs 350. We would be happy if we are given a wholesale rate of Rs 250 per packet,” he said. He however said that the acting Chief Secretary has assured to look into this matter.
“We will wait for the Government to take appropriate steps in this connection. But if the Government fails to take any action then we will meet to decide on our future course of action,” Nongbri added.
When contacted, Warjri said that the Government would take all possible steps to resolve this matter.