Government wants cement prices controlled
New Delhi: Alarmed at the steep rise in cement prices the government has come down heavily on cement manufacturing companies and asked them to work out ways to cut prices.

Cement prices have gone up from an average level of Rs135-140 per bag of 50 kg to around Rs205-210 per bag during the past six months. The Cement Manufacturers Association has been asked to call a meeting of its members urgently and decide on steps for lowering of prices, instead of waiting for the rainy season, when cement prices tend to fall.

The meeting was convened following complaints from builders against the sharp increase in prices of cement.

Government officials said nearly 50 per cent increase in cement prices since November 2005 is abnormal. The prices have increased more than the increase in the input cost.

The cement industry has been witnessing a boom period following increased spending in construction and infrastructure sectors. Cement output increased by 11 per cent from 127.57 million tonnes (mt) in 2004-05 to 141.81 mt in 2005-06. Exports during 2005-06 went up by more than 47 per cent from 4.07 mt in 2004-05 to 6.01 mt during 2005-06. This surge in exports had led to builders' associations demanding ban on cement exports in the face of high domestic prices.
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Thai biz delegation comes visiting India
New Delhi: A Thai business delegation is visiting India. Officials from the delegation said food products, tourism, gems and jewellery, real estate, telecom and IT, entertainment, and infrastructure are the main areas of partnership between Thailand and India.

At a meeting with industry representatives here on Tuesday, organised by FICCI, Chirasak Thanesnant, Thai Ambassador to India, said that the visit of the 15-member Thai delegation to New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai underlined the importance attached by Thai businesses in joining hands with their Indian counterparts.
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Quotas not to be imposed on companies: Government
New Delhi: The government said it will not impose quotas on India Inc, but says it wants more "affirmative action" from the industry for the socially underprivileged.

Ashwini Kumar, minister of state for commerce and industry, said at a CII conference for specially-abled people here said the industry is already into affirmative action through corporate responsibility initiatives and does not need any enforced action.

"There is no incongruity between what the government proposes and what the industry seeks to do," Kumar added.
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