The Hindu Business Line : Tamil Nadu allowed to import cement

The Centre has permitted the Tamil Nadu Government to import cement as a measure to control cement prices in the State. The Centre’s permission follows a request from the State Government to import cement, as a number of Government-sponsored projects were being affected by the high cost of cement.

According to the State Government, the Centre has permitted it to import up to 1.5 lakh tonnes a month. The Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation, a State Government undertaking, will import the cement.

Cement Prices

The State Government has held discussions with cement manufacturers in a bid to bring down cement prices. However, the manufacturers have expressed their inability to cut prices on the grounds that demand far exceeded supply and that the prices were dictated by the market.

The Tamil Nadu Government’s tender in July for supply of 9 lakh tonnes of cement for various Government projects met with a poor response from the manufacturers, following which the Government even extended the last date for submitting bids.

Following the high cement prices, the Centre has relaxed the conditions for importing cement. However, despite this there has not been any large-scale import of cement, according to industry sources. Also, the Centre’s moves have not resulted in any substantial reduction in cement prices.

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