Himachal cement firms resume old rates

Shimla, Oct 12 (IANS) Two cement firms with plants in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday agreed to reduce their prices by Rs 5 per bag in the state following intervention by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, an official said.

Ambuja and ACC have agreed in principle to reduce the price with immediate effect, a government spokesperson told IANS.

The cement price was enhanced from Rs 360 by the companies on Tuesday.

Ultratech Cement Ltd, which took over Jaypee Cement, was also directed not to enhance the rate, an official statement said.

Transport Minister G.S. Bali and Additional Chief Secretary Tarun Kapoor were also present at the meeting in which representatives of the cement companies were called.

The state has four mega cement plants -- Barmana (ACC), Darlaghat (Ambuja), Rajban (CCI) and Bagha (Ultratech). The aggregate capacity is 10.66 million tonne.

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