Chhattisgarh gets Rs 6,809 cr investment in cement sector

Raipur, Mar 30 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh Government has inked Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with companies which have proposed to set up cement plants with an investment of more than Rs 6,809.60 crore.

Additional Chief Secretary (Commerce and Industries) P Joy Ommen signed these MOUs with the representatives of these companies in the presence of Chief Minister Raman Singh at the state Mantralaya late this evening.

Throwing light on the proposals, Mr Ommen said the state produced 11 million tonnes of cement at present and this capacity would go upto 36 million tonnes once all the proposed cement plants became operational.

ACC Ltd will invest Rs 1,400 crore for its green field plant and the company will also spend Rs 400 crore on the expansion of its current project.

Similarly, Grasim Industries will take up expansion of its project at a cost of Rs 180 crore and also set up a new plant at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore.

Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd has proposed to invest Rs 1,400 crore to set up two cement plants in Raigarh and Raipur district, while Jindal Steel and Power Ltd will also enter the cement sector with an investment of Rs 720 crores.

Shree Cement Ltd has proposed to invest Rs 1,000 crore, while Rungta Mines Ltd and Century Cement will invest Rs 400 crore and Rs 109 crore on a green field project and expansion project respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said his government was providing all facilities to these companies to set up their cement plants.

However, he admitted that the state government had no control over cement prices, as it was decided by the market forces.

UNI