THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industry Minister P Rajeev said the government would look into the issue of rising prices, which is putting the construction sector in crisis, and take necessary action. He added that artificial inflation would not be allowed. He was responding to a news article published by Kerala Kaumudi the other day in the wake of exorbitant prices for construction materials, including cement and rods, under the pretext of the Ukraine-Russia war.

"With the inclusion of construction materials in the GST coverage by the Centre, the states are having certain limitations in intervening in inflation. This government had called a meeting of cement suppliers and instructed them not to overcharge. Necessary action will be taken in the new situation," the minister said.

Rising fuel prices have also accelerated inflation. Compared to January this year, the price of steel bars has gone up by Rs 22 per kg. The price of cement has gone up by Rs 70 per sack.