Action is being taken against 62 construction material shops that are inflating cement prices in the market in accordance with existing laws, according to sources.

In order to prevent excessive price increases due to the increased demand for cement in the market due to the massive earthquake that occurred on March 28, a joint team of officials conducted a field inspection of construction material shops in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, some major cities in Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, and Sagaing regions and Shan State on April 23.

The joint team inspected 59 construction material shops and one warehouse from 8 townships in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, 87 construction material shops from 34 townships and three companies that import cement from abroad in Yangon Region, 88 construction material shops from 11 townships in Mandalay Region, and four construction material shops from Sagaing Township in Sagaing Region, 19 construction material shops in three townships in Bago Region and 59 construction material shops in three townships in Shan State.

The joint team, which included officials, inspected 320 construction material shops and found that 30 construction material shops were selling at a profit of 10 to 15 percent above the original price, 32 construction material shops were selling at a profit of 15 percent or more above the original price, and 8 people, including the owner of the Pyae Sone Aung construction material shop located in the West Ring Road, Yadanarthiri Ward, Taunggyi, who sold cement bags in an unfair manner, are being taken to take action in accordance with existing laws. Action is also being taken to identify and take action against those who sell building materials at high prices.