HP Cement rate again increases from Rs 435 to Rs 490.
2 min read
Shimla Jan 18
People troubled by the rising inflation of food items in Himachal will now have to spend more money to build a house. Companies in the state have once again made the cement bag costlier by Rs 5. This has happened for the second time in a month. Even before this, cement had become costlier by Rs 5 in the state. In this way, cement has become costlier by Rs 10 in a month. All the major companies supplying in the state, ACC, Ultratech, and Ambuja, have increased the rates of cement. These prices have come into effect immediately.
Consumption of cement is continuously increasing in Himachal. There is a huge demand for cement for house construction in the state. In such a situation, no matter how much the price increases, people are forced to buy cement. The prices of cement in the state are different according to distance and truck fare. Now, after the increase in the price of cement in the state, people will have to pay 435 to 490 rupees per bag. In Tattapani, situated on the border of Mandi and Shimla districts, the price of a bag of ACC cement is now 435 rupees. Whereas people of ACC Gold will have to pay 490 rupees per bag. These prices will be at the shop. Apart from this, people will have to pay the fare of vehicles separately to deliver cement to the construction site.
Kamal Sharma, a resident of Tattapani, says that ‘every person in Himachal needs cement to build a house. Even after cement is made in Himachal, people here have to pay a higher price. Therefore, the government should have control over the prices of cement. Only then can people get cheap cement.’
Industry Minister Harsh Bardhan Chauhan says that, ‘There are three big cement plants in Himachal. Cement is a free control item. Neither the Central Government nor the Himachal Government has control over the sale of cement. Only the companies have the right to increase the price of cement. It is true that we can put pressure on the companies to reduce the price, but we do not have direct control over the companies.’ In the last two years, the price of cement has increased by 30 rupees. Whereas, during the tenure of BJP, from 2817 to 2022, the rate of cement had increased by 130 rupees.
