Cement prices slightly up in AP: Minister

Hyderabad, Feb 14 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Major Industries Minister Geeta Reddy today said cement prices have gone up by Rs 10 to Rs 220 per bag in the last one year, due to increased demand-supply gap in the state.

Replying to a question by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Floor Leader D Veerabadra Rao during the Question Hour in the Council, she said regulating cement price was not in the hands of the government, as it was not a controlled item under Essential Commodities Act.

Observing that cement prices were low in the state compared to other states and determined by the market, she said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had already brought the issue to the notice of the Centre to bring down the prices and take steps to encourage the setting up of cement industries in the state.

The government had taken the initiative and arranged for cement at a concessional rate of Rs 145 to Rs 160 per bag for INDIRAMMA housing scheme, Ms Reddy said, adding that the government would consider the suggestion of setting up a Cement Price Control Authority.

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