Budget cement in the state soon: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Taking a leaf from neighbouring Tamil Nadu's 'Amma Cement' scheme, CPI(M) led LDF government in Kerala is planning to introduce a programme in which the key construction component would be distributed at a budget price.

Replying to a calling attention in the assembly for the present situation due to increase in cement price in the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a scheme similar to Amma cement would be worked out in consultation with cement producers.

"Government will hold discussions with cement producers to finalise the scheme. Certain guidelines also has to be made," he said, but rejected a suggestion for supplying cement at subsidy rates.

State run Malabar Cements production meets only 10 per cent of state's demand. The PSU also supplies its cement at Rs 25 less than the retail price of other brands in the market to capture more business, he pointed out.

It was a fact that retail price of cement was increasing in the state, he said.

At a recent meeting of cement distributors it was told that cement producers directly supply cement to realtors at a lower price than that of retail price, he added.

P T Thomas (Cong) wanted government to take steps to make cement available to the lower income and middle class people at a concessional rate.