Gadkari files writ petition to break cement companies monopoly

Mumbai, May 9 (UNI) Alleging that six companies in the cement industry are maintaining their monopoly with the support of state and Central governments and selling their products at exhorbitant prices, Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari today said he has filed a writ petition with the Central government's Consumer Redressal Commission (CRC) for breaking the same.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Gadkari said the six companies--ACC, Gujarat Ambuja, Ultra Tech, Grasim, India Cement and Lafarge--are constantly increasing the rates and therefore, he had filed the writ petition with the CRC.

Calling for a need to have strict restrictions on cement-producing companies, he demanded that cement should be included in the essential commodity sector.

Mr Gadkari said the Central government can control the cement prices by disallowing the export of cement. He said the cement bag should be available at a cost of Rs 95 to Rs 105 instead of the current Rs 241.

Calling for a strict control on the cost of cement, he said the cement production cost has gone down as the companies are getting fly ash free.

UNI