'Dispute over cement price hike to be resolved soon'

Kathmandu, Jan 22: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has said the ministry has been learning on the issue related to hike in the price of cement and the dispute would be resolve soon.     

Contractors had filed complaints at the Public Accounts Committee, saying price of cement has increased up to 75 per cent in recent period which has increased the construction cost.     

The Committee held discussion with Industry Ministry, Federation of Contractors' Association of Nepal and Nepal Cement Manufacturers' Association today on this matter.     

On the occasion, Minister Bhandari said the ministry was aware about cement price hike and held discussion with cement manufacturers, contractors and consumer rights activists on this matter.     

The ministry had already held formal discussion time and again with stakeholders about the price hike and it would take appropriate decision soon, he mentioned.     

However, cement manufacturers had been saying the price of cement has increased due to load-shedding, increase in price of coal and limestone and transportation cost. There is no truth about hike in price of cement up to 75 per cent, they argued.     

After today's discussion, the Committee had asked the Industry Ministry to carryout study on the topic of hike in the price of cement and to present within seven days the reason behind this.(RSS)