Cement manufacturers asked to take steps to cut costs

Chennai, Nov 2 The Tamil Nadu government today asked cement makers to take steps to reduce escalating cost of the key construction component, amid demand from various quarters, including Opposition AIADMK, to control prices. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi chaired a meeting of top heads of the state government and cement manufacturers during which the government urged the latter to make efforts to reduce cement prices, which have been on the rise for the past few months. The state government''s action comes days after AIADMK Chief and Opposition leader Jayalalithaa asked it to take steps to stabilise the escalating cost of construction materials including cement in the state. She had said prices of cement,iron bars and bricks had gone up by at least three times, thus affecting the common man.