KANNUR: The big companies raising the prices of cement and steel for creating artificial scarcity, is backfiring the construction sector. Citing non-availability of raw materials and rising fuel prices, the Cement Manufacturers Association have increased the prices only in Kerala. The distributors have accused that the association of increasing cement prices every three months. The price of steel has increased by Rs 30 to Rs 80 in a month.

Even premium cement brands no longer have a fixed price. A-grade companies such as ACC, Ultratech, Sankar, Ramco etc. charge prices as their choice. The price of cement has been increased by Rs 90 in a week. A sack of cement cost Rs 380 earlier this year. A hike of Rs 145 has been recorded in a phased manner from February. The price of sand and metal is also going up.

Only B-grade cement like Chettinad and Malabar offers relief. Yesterday's price of Malabar cement was Rs 420. When the private companies raise their prices, soon Malabar Cements will also hike their price.

A and B category cement from Tamil Nadu accounts for 90 per cent of the sales in Kerala and the rest is from Andhra Pradesh.

With the relaxation in Covid restrictions, the construction sector became active but now it has been hit by price hikes. The budget was overturned due to an unexpected price hike while undergoing construction. The stance of the companies does not offer relief.