Legislatures created uproarious scenes in the assembly over the high prices of cement in the State. The Opposition members were on their feet, accusing Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister GS Bali of misleading the House and withholding information.
Bali’s remark in his reply to a query of Independent legislator Rajinder Rana and Bambar Thakur said that the BJP had done nothing during its tenure to reduce prices of cement despite its production in the state agitated them. This infuriated BJP legislators.
Bali said that the government is keen to reduce the cement prices and have constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to hold talks with the firms.
Dissatisfied with the reply from Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, BJP leaders Rajiv Bindal and Ravinder Singh Ravi inquired about the cost of production per bag and transportation charges. The Opposition alleged that minister had the information but was deliberately concealing it.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s intervention put an end to the commotion. He said the government was aware of the problem and assured to direct cement companies to reduce the prices.
