| Cement prices go up, brokers make fortunes | | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 19: Notwithstanding four month unrest, the cement production was started almost three weeks ago in the valley. The rates of cement bags have gone up with no monitoring government agency. The brokers are making fortunes by managing easy availibility of cement to the markets. "As my house was under construction so I had a need of cement for completion of work . Surprisingly, I have got a cement truck of TCI Max at the rate of Rs/- 90,000 excluding freight and unloading," said a consumer residing in Sopore.
The main reason for this daylight loot is that these brokers are taking the advantage of cement crises in Kashmir as the valley was hit by the turmoil. "If the rate has been fixed by the TCI Max Cement Factory of Rs 63,000 per truck (Excluding freight and unloading) as per excise then why distributors or brokers are selling as per their choices like some are selling 68,000, 70,000, 80,000 per truck to the consumers," asks a consumer. Not only TCI Max, other cement factory bags are touching the sky in the market. The consumers can only sell their cement bags through the licensed middlemen. This also means, it is the only consumer who continue to be looted by the middlemen.
The authorities are watching as mute spectators. According to the norms, Cement bags of TCI Max, Cemtec, Arco, Jk Cements should be available in the market priced between Rs 390 to Rs 400 per bag). However, in the market, cement bags are sold at Rs 500 per bag. A hike of almost 90% on the maximum retail price. However, Early Times has learnt from the reliable sources from cement factories that, "The cement factory " TCI Max" owned by the top Businessman of the valley gives excise cum challan of Rs/- 63,000 to each truck who are ferrying cement bags from the cement factory to several destinations excluding freight and unloading, but in the market these bags are available on very high rates," said source. Cement bags prices have shot up over the past few days. As it happens,only the consumers are reeling under this artificial price hike, while middlemen of cement markets, as well as, vendors and dealer are ripping off huge profits. "As our work has been already affected, our labour cost have increased since all non local labourers have left the valley. Now that, there is a lot of burden on us,the hiking rates of cement bags has caused further troubled for us," said a contractor. Normally, prices of cement bags remain on the higher side between May and August due to peak working season in the valley and thus lower supply. However, this time around, prices of cement bags are at least Rs 480, in the market which are touching a new high every day. |
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