Question : PRICES OF CEMENT

(a) the details of annual production/consumption and import/export of cement in the country, State-wise during the last three years;

(b) whether the Government has noticed continuous rise in prices of cement despite significant capacity addition by the cement companies;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor along with steps taken by the Government for ample availability of cement at reasonable price to its various users;

(d) whether some cement companies have earned large profit by increasing prices of cement on regular basis;and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government on such companies?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a): The State-wise details of cement production and consumption during the last three years are at Annexure-I. Details of import and export of cement in the country during the last three years are at Annexure-II.

(b)&(c): The control over price and distribution of cement has been removed since 1989. The industry was de-licensed in 1991 under the policy of economic liberalization. Cement has also been removed from the list of essential commodities. The price of cement is governed by the market forces of demand and supply.

(d)&(e) The information is not maintained by this Department.