Govt to act tough on cartelisation: Nath

Commerce & industry minister Kamal Nath said on Saturday that the government will come down heavily on cartelisation of steel producers and freight operators, and hoped the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which is to become operational soon, will help stop these malpractices. Speaking at an industry chamber meeting here, he said, “The CCI is falling into place. There is cartelisation taking place in freight rates and steel prices. This is happening… the government has to respond commensurately.” He said the cement export ban will not impact the SEZs, which are considered to be bonded territories by the customs authorities. Nath said the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued the notification banning export of cement.