Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said “We are looking at more imports from Pakistan. Whatever we can we will import...Five million tonnes we can get it.”

Nath said he would soon meet the cement companies to discuss the rising prices of the building material. “I propose to meet cement companies very shortly, by mid-May to discuss and counsel them not to have increase in prices and to keep consumer interest in mind,” he said. He also added that the cement prices have not increased as much as other items. “They have gone up by 4.4 per cent over the whole year” he said.

However, high cement prices remain a matter of concern for the government. The industry explained to the government that prices have increased because of surging cost of raw material and transportation.

Asked to comment on inflation, Nath said the government has taken certain measures which would take 3-4 weeks to deliver results. “I am sure inflation will be contained,” he said while adding that inflation will start moderating in the next 3-4 weeks.