The government has taken a stand that it is allowing market forces to take over and allow the cement prices to be arrived at based on demand and supply. The control over price and distribution of cement has been removed since 1989. The industry was de-licensed in 1991 under the economic liberalisation policy. Cement has also been removed from the list of essential commodities. Thus, presently the prices of cement are governed by the market forces of demand and supply. Prices of cement are collected under the clause of commercial secrecy and hence cannot be divulged, said the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry EM Sudarsana Natchiappan in the Lok Sabha