Protests ensue over rising cement prices, India

Protests have taken place at Century Cement’s Chhattisgarh cement plant in India due to rising cement prices with threats of further demonstrations to be held at production sites of other major domestic producers.

Members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as the opposition Congress reached the cement plant in the Tilda area of Raipur as nearly 500 people blocked points of entry. The protests prevented staff from entering the factory and stopping company officials transporting cement bags from the factory.

BJP legislator Devjibhai Patel, who organised the blockade along with Congress leader Vidhan Mishra, told local press that they would organise the economic blockade at plants of all seven leading cement manufactures, including Lafarge India, Ambuja Cement, Grasim and UltraTech Cement with the aim of putting an end to alleged cartel practices.

“All the cement manufacturers in India's leading cement producing state of Chhattisgarh will have to face a strong economic blockade because they have formed a cartel and have been consistently raising prices though there is no rise in raw materials and labour cost,” Patel said.

Patel noted that the price of a bag of cement had risen from INR190 in September to INR280 currently. He said the blockade would only be lifted after companies agreed in writing to dissolve the alledged cartel and reduce prices.

Source: IANS India Pvt. Ltd.