As Assam is all set for elections, the nefarious ‘cement syndicate’ of Northeast, which is accused of rampant ‘cartelization’ and manipulating the market, has increased retail prices of cement .
A survey of the retail market, undertaken by the Northeast Now team on Wednesday in Guwahati, revealed a rise in cement prices of Topcem Cement, Star Cement and other local brands.
The survey was conducted randomly at different cement retail outlets in Ganeshguri, Zoo Road, Khanapara, Azara and Narengi areas of Guwahati.
Most of the retailers claimed, the prices increased by Rs 10 to 15 from mid-last week, and described it as a trend before elections in Assam.
Election to the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled to be held in the first half of the month of April.
All the political parties, including the Congress and ruling BJP have already launched massive campaign to garner support of the electorates.
Interestingly, the local cement companies did not make any statement on the rise of prices in the retail market.
Also read: Nefarious ‘syndicate’ cartelise and manipulate cement price in Assam
On February 19, Anil Kapur, president of Topcem Cement had told Northeast Now that the brand has no immediate plans to increase the price of cement in Assam.
It was reported earlier that three cement companies which ‘exploit’ Meghalaya’s limestone reserve were the ‘biggest contributors’ from Northeast India to the BJP’s election campaign fund.
Also read: Topcem Cement ‘costlier’ than national cement brands in Guwahati retail market
It was reported that Topcem Cement, Star Cement and Amrit Cement, which have captive limestone mines and cement production units in East Jaintia hills district of Meghalaya, had contributed Rs 4.22 crore to the BJP in 2018-2019.
Meghalaya Cements Limited, which is the producer of the brand Topcem Cement, made payments to BJP’s election fund in three installments.
Also read: Meghalaya government warns ‘stern actions’ if Topcem Cement’s ‘price disparity’ found true
Star Cement had paid Rs 2.68 crores, while Topcem Cement paid Rs 1.38 crores and Amrit Cement had paid Rs 21 lakhs to the BJP’s election fund.
Topcem Cement and Star cement have also been accused of polluting two river systems in East Jaintia hills district of Meghalaya — Wah Lukha and Wah Lunar.
Pranab Kumar Sarma, president of Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA) is always vocal against the nefarious ‘cement syndicate’ in Northeast India.
Also read: Meghalaya government initiates inquiry on ‘disparity’ in cement prices
The AREIDA had also filed a case with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on September 2, 2016 alleging that three companies — Topcem Cement, Star Cement and Dalmia Cement have been leading the nefarious syndicate.
The case was filed under section 19 (1) (a) of the Competition Act 2002, for violation of section 3 and section 4 of the Act.
After a preliminary inquiry, the CCI had registered a case (No. 77/2016) against Topcem Cement and the two other companies, under Section 19 (1) (a) of the Competitions Act 2002, for violation of Sections 3 and 4 of the Act.
Topcem Cement has also been accused of ‘looting’ the tribal Khasi and Jaintia customers in Meghalaya. Kailash Chandra Lohia is the chairman of Topcem Cement.
The company has been selling cement in Meghalaya at a much ‘higher price’ in comparison to the retail price in neighbouring Assam.