In the Assembly, Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihorti assured to reduce the prices cement in the State. He said that Cement companies would not be allowed to sell cement at Rs 340 in Himachal Pradesh as compared to Rs 275 in Punjab and would be forced to lower it. Agnihorti revealed that talks were being held with the companies to bring down the prices.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that the cement companies will not be allowed to run a parallel administration as they are using natural resources of the state and will be made to reduce the price of cement in Himachal Pradesh.
Minister was replying to private resolution moved by BJP MLA Rajiv Bindal in the Assembly, who had moved the resolution for setting up cement factories in Sirmaur to generate more employment opportunities in the district. Bindal said that deposit of the limestone in Rajgarh, Shillai and Paonta area do not have sufficient depth and width and thus it would be wise to set up a cement plant there, which would also create new avenues of employment in the region. BJP legislator from Shimla Suresh Kashyap and Shilai MLA Baldev Tomar supported the resolution.
However, Congress MLA Jagjeevan Pal, Bambar Thakur and I D Lakhanpal opposed the demand, saying cement industry causes pollution and deterioration of roads.
