The sharp hike seen in cement prices, post monsoon, has been arrested. This is being attributed to the discounts offered by top companies to reach sales target. Prices of the building material touched an all-time high of Rs 280 for a 50-kg bag, in November. However, during this month the average price then declined to Rs 270 a bag.Cement makers and industry analysts term it a normal phenomenon, and add that by January-end, prices are likely to rise again. According to analysts, the strategy of offering discounts is being adopted to push sales. Prices in Kolkata have slipped to Rs 300-310 per bag, from Rs 330 a month before, said a stockist in the city.In Delhi, cement is available at Rs 250, against Rs 270 a bag last month. In the East, prices are hovering around Rs 300 a bag, compared to Rs 320 in the previous month. A Mumbai-based research head said that prices would correct further. He said that by as early as mid-January the prices would rally again.