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Secondary aluminium makers allege cartelisation

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Sept. 6

THE All-India Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers & Dealers Association has alleged that the three primary producers of aluminium in the country have formed a cartel to maintain high prices.

This high cost of the primary metal, the association said in a release, was making the operations of secondary manufacturers economically unviable. ``There are three primary producers of aluminium in the country who have formed a cartel,'' the release st ates.

Aluminium is a raw material for secondary manufacturers. There are roughly 4,500 secondary manufacturing units in the country employing more than 5 lakh people. According to the association, most of the units have been facing difficulties for the last fo ur years due to a decline in the consumption of aluminium end products.

According to the association, around 15 per cent of these 4,500 units have already closed down and another 20 per cent are on the verge of closure while most of the remaining are pulling on in miserable conditions.

Secondary manufacturers, trade and industry associations, chambers of commerce etc have made several representations to the Government during the past four years but the Government has not taken any steps to solve the problem, the release added.