Srinagar, Apr 26: While increasing cement prices are taking toll on consumer purse, its dealers are not happy either.
 The dealers Monday expressed their concern over the rising prices of the product while urging the government to intervene in the matter.
 The dealers said the price increase was affecting their business badly. The said the product has witnessed a steep 30 per cent increase in the past few weeks.
 The dealers accused the local manufacturers of arbitrarily fixing the rates. “Since January the manufacturers have increased the prices of a truckload of cement by Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000,” they said.
  “In January the prices were Rs 31,000/truckload (180 bags). Now they charge for the same quantity Rs 42,000 to 45,000,” exclaimed Abdul Rasheed, proprietor Gulmarg Agencies, adding that the price per bag had been increased by over Rs 55.
  “Every month the manufacturers increase the prices by Rs 4,000 to 6,000/truckload. A cement bag that was sold at Rs 200 a couple of months back is now at Rs 300,” said Muhammad Ramzan, proprietor, Rather Cement Stores, Ganderbal.
 The dealers apprehended that the manufacturers may increase the prices further by over Rs 4,000/truckload from May.
 The dealers alleged that while the manufacturers were exploiting them, “nobody here is keeping a check on them.”
 “Even authorities concerned don’t take any action against them,” said Abdul Rasheed.
 Dar said the cement factories in the Valley had been exempted from the central excise duty of Rs 8,000 for a period of ten years.
  “The government is making tall claims that they are doing their best to keep prices in control, but this is what is happening actually,” said Muhammad Ramzan.
 The dealers said the transporters’ union at Khonmoh, where most of the cement factories are situated, have increased the freight for ferrying cement from factories to dealers’ outlets by eight per cent.
 “They too decide the rates of their own. Till two years back, they would charge us Rs 500 or 600 from Khonmoh to Lal Chowk, where as now they have increased the freight to Rs 3000,” said Nissar Ahmad, proprietor Nissar and Co, Chhanpora Bypass, alleging that nobody had been taking action against them as well.
 “Nowhere the transporters fix freight of their own. However, here they do on their own whim and caprice?” said Muhammad Ramzan.
 According to dealers 20,000 to 30,000 people in the Valley were involved in its trade, who had been badly hit by the price hike. “It is the dealer, who is the most affected. Our market suffers badly,” Abdul Rasheed said.    
 The dealers appealed to the government to take an immediate action in this direction.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST