Stabilise coal prices, kiln owners urge govt

Tribune News Service

Ropar, September 9

The Ropar District Brick Kiln Owners’ Association has demanded the intervention of the Centre and the state government in controlling the prices of coal, saying otherwise, they will have to close their units.

Holding a press conference, brick kiln owners said the price of one tonne coal was Rs 7,000 a couple of months ago, which had now climbed up to Rs 16,000 per tonne.

Association president Amarjeet Singh Saini said due to a sharp hike in the rates, prices of bricks could also increase to Rs 6,200 per thousand against the current price of Rs 5,200. They said even after increasing the price of bricks, they would not be able to run their kilns as the required amount for stocking coal at such prices would be beyond their means. Saini demanded that the government should look into the matter to end the monopoly of big corporates who were manipulating coal prices.