BJP accuses Cong of nexus with cement cos

SHILLONG, JUNE 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Meghalaya today accused the Congress-led state government of having an alleged ‘nexus’ with the cement factories by hiking the price of cement ahead of next year’s state elections.

The party has also served a 30 days deadline to the state government and the cement companies to roll back and regulate the price of cement failing which they would take stern action including intervention of the Court.

“We suspect this is a very strong nexus between the government and the factories, because all this is not possible without political back up,” BJP state general secretary Bashailang Khongwir told reporters here on Wednesday.

He said how the price of a commodity can be raised by so much without rhyme or reasons and the interesting part, is that all this happening just before election.

Claiming that the party has received many complaints against the sudden hike of the rate of cement in the state, Khongwir said the price of cement in one month is hike by more than Rs 100, which was out to be more than 35%.

According to him, the eight cement factories operating in East Jaintia Hills District of the state, have decided to raise the price of cement from Rs 280 to Rs 400 without giving any public notice.

Asked, the Khongwir admitted by saying – “It indicates that the hike is to generate funds and benefit political parties especially the ruling party (Congress) at the expense of the people’s welfare.”

On the other hand, the BJP state leader said that the fact of the matter is that when all the rates of the raw materials like limestone and coal are decreasing from Rs 5,000 – Rs 6,000 to Rs 2500 – Rs 3000 per metric tons after the NGT ban.

He also alleged that as per information, all the raw materials are being dumped only in Night time, even after the NGT ban, which is very highly suspicious.

Demanding the immediate roll back in the price of cement, Khongwir said the state government is also demanded to regulate the price of cement in the state and make public.

“We are giving the government and the cement factories 30 days time to comply with our demand, failing which we will be compeled to take stern action, even going to the Court,” he stated while appealing to all likeminded parties to support the issue.

Accusing the eight cement plants of looting the people of the state, Khongwir alleged misutilization of transport subsidies by the cement factories, which according to him, has prompted the Centre to suspend the transport subsidy.

“We have constituted a team to investigate into the matter,” he said adding “We will expose them (state govt and cement companies) and we may even seek the Centre to assist us on this.”

Referring to the tax holidays which are given for 7 years and is being extended time and again, he said, “On what pretext are these tax holidays are being extended…this is a day light robbery.”

Stating that there are many loop holes which these companies are exploiting the people of the State, he said after 30 days the party will come up with all the specific details.

According to him, people’s expectation is to get cheaper cement especially when the cement factories are enjoying tax holidays, the price should have been less than even Rs 280.

Asked, the BJP leader said that the team will also investigate into the revenue generated by the state government from these cement factories.