Raising cement prices amid disaster is insensitive to affected families
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, in a statement issued from Shimla, said that Himachal Pradesh is reeling under the impact of a major disaster. Thousands of people have been rendered homeless, while many more have suffered partial damage to their houses and cattle sheds. He alleged that on the one hand the government has failed to provide adequate assistance to the affected people, and on the other, it has made their lives even more difficult by increasing cement prices, especially for those trying to rebuild their homes on their own.
Jairam Thakur said that repeatedly increasing cement prices at such a time is an act of insensitivity towards disaster-affected families. He expressed concern that cement companies have reportedly even issued ultimatums to dealers indicating further price hikes in the coming days.
The Leader of Opposition stated that even in the face of a grave disaster, decisions of the Congress government are proving to be anti-people and are adding to the hardships of the common man. People in disaster-hit areas are struggling to reconstruct their damaged houses, while the government is aggravating their problems by repeatedly increasing the prices of cement.
He pointed out that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government had taken a sensitive and pro-people decision by reducing GST on cement to provide relief to the general public. However, he said it was unfortunate that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh nullified this relief by imposing an additional goods tax, thereby increasing cement prices once again. He termed this decision as completely anti-public and especially unjust to those who have lost everything due to natural calamities.
Jairam Thakur said that at this time the government should be providing relief instead of burdening the affected people with new taxes. He also recalled that during the 2023 disaster, the state government had increased VAT on diesel, further troubling the people of the state.
He alleged that the policies of the Congress government clearly show a lack of empathy towards disaster victims and an absence of concern for their rehabilitation. At a time when efforts should be made to make cement and other construction materials available at affordable rates, repeatedly increasing their prices is deeply unfortunate.
He asserted that the BJP will strongly fight for the rights of disaster-affected people, both on the streets and in the legislature, and will continue to oppose every anti-people decision of the government.
