सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has said that the ministry is studying the issue of cement price hike and the dispute will be resolved soon.
Construction entrepreneurs had recently filed a complaint with the Public Accounts Committee alleging that cement prices had increased by up to 75 percent and that this had increased construction costs. The committee has discussed the complaint with the Ministry of Industry, the Federation of Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs and the Cement Manufacturers Association today.
In the committee, Industry Minister Bhandari said that the ministry has been aware of the price hike of cement for a long time and has discussed the issue with cement manufacturers, construction entrepreneurs and consumer rights activists.
He also said that the ministry is facilitating the resolution of disputes between cement manufacturers and construction entrepreneurs. ‘The ministry has formally discussed the issue of price hike with stakeholders four-five times. The ministry will take an appropriate decision on this soon,’ said Industry Minister Bhandari.
Construction entrepreneurs had complained to the ministry and the parliamentary committee, saying that the construction cost of projects had increased due to the increase in the price of cement.
Cement industrialists have been saying that the price has increased due to increased load shedding, increased prices of coal and limestone, and increased transportation costs. He said that there is no truth in the matter of the increase in the price of cement by up to 75 percent.
‘The ministry is studying the increase in the price of cement and we will soon reach an appropriate conclusion. But it is not true that the price hike has been up to 75 percent,’ said Industry Minister Bhandari. ‘While the ministry was facilitating the dispute resolution between construction entrepreneurs and cement manufacturers, it was agreed that the price adjustment could be made by 10 to 15 percent.’
Last Sunday, cement industrialists and construction entrepreneurs had reached an agreement to adjust the price of cement in the presence of the ministry. Industry Minister Bhandari said that the government is vigilant about controlling monopolies (carteling) and high price hikes.
In today’s meeting of the committee, lawmakers expressed the view that the government should intervene, saying that consumers are more affected by the cement price hike. After today’s discussion, the committee has directed the Ministry of Industry to study the reasons for the increase in cement prices and submit a response within seven days.
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