BAI calls for regulatory authority to investigate cement price hikes

Mr V Sivarajan, president of the Builders' Association of India (BAI)'s Coimbatore branch, has hit out against recent price rises established by India's cement sector. The retail price of a 50kg bag of cement was INR270 (US$3.88) two months ago but now it is INR400 (US$5.76).

"The prices of raw materials, transport or labour did not go up for the cement industry," Mr Sivarajan said. "So there is no reason for the price rise."

Mr Sivarajan announced that the BAI would appeal to the Union Government to set up a cement regulatory authority.