Date:01/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/01/stories/2008030158270400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Prospective house owners may feel the heat

HYDERABAD: More spending on National Highways, Bharat Nirman, irrigation projects, housing for weaker sections and Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission would see increased consumption of cement, observed Ramesh Chandro, Managing Director, Ckoramaandel Cements in response to the Union Budget presented on Friday.

The change in excise duty on bulk cement is applicable to major cement plants only and not applicable to mini cement plants.

Bulk cement means unpacked loose cement and is used by big projects, contractors and builders.

K.Ravinder Reddy, CMD, Janapriya Engineers Syndicate, felt lack of sops towards construction of residential units is disappointing and rising costs could hurt middle class buyers.