Cement distribution to be streamlined: Karunanidhi

Chennai, Jan 22 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the distribution of cement at a concessional rate of Rs 200 per bag would be streamlined in due course and the Government would ensure that there were no irregularities in the distribution.

Answering a set of questions, he said the Government was confident of satisfying all sections, especially the poor and middle class, in the distribution after gaining some experience in the present system and arrival of imported cement.

He said Tamil Nadu was the only state to take steps to bring down the price of cement, though the situation was similar throughout the country.

Justifying the Government stance to provide cement to those who do not possess approved plans, the Chief Minister said this was to help poor people living in villages and aspiring to build houses measuring 100 sqft to 200 sqft area. These people, who would require 15 or 20 bags of cement, could not afford to wait for plan approvals.

Mr Karunanidhi agreed that a maximum of 100 bags of cement would not be sufficient to the middle income group people, who build houses measuring 1,000 sqft area and promised to make available additional quantity to them after assessing the stock position.

Private cement manufacturers have offered to supply 20 lakh bags to be distributed through the State's Civil Supplies Corporation at concessional rates and if there was adequate stock, the middle income group would be given more than 100 bags, he said.

Allaying fears of irregularities, he said all the district Collectors have been advised to exercise caution to avert irregularities.

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