Jammu

The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned sale of Ambuja Cements in the state after a probe found underweight bags and irrational product prices, a state minister said today.

“The sale and operations of Ambuja Cements have been banned in the state. These steps have been taken after the complaints of mal-practices against the company,” Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali told reporters here.

“The department authorities took up the matter with regard to complaints with management of the company, which failed to give satisfactory replies. We raided their CFA godown”, he said.

During the investigation, it was found that the company was selling cement bags at two different MRP rates in Kashmir and Jammu regions, he said, adding that a cement bag was sold in Kashmir for Rs 346.65 per bag and in Jammu at Rs 437.69.

“The state should have one MRP rate as per prescribed rates. Second, bags were underweight by 400 to 600 grams per bag. They were fleecing public and charging more money from Jammu people”, he said.

On the basis of irrational pricing and frequent changing rates and underweight bags, the ban is imposed on sale and stocking of Ambuja Cement, he said.

He directed the Legal Metrology Department to ensure the ban on sale and stock of Ambuja cement. He said a team has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly.

Asserting that in view of the ensuing festive season, the department of Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution has re-fixed the rates and limits of all the essential commodities to keep a check on profiteering and price rise, he said.

Ali said that a control order has been issued to fix the stocking limit of essential commodities.

PTI