About the Association
The birth of the idea of an Association of Cement Merchants was propelled by a peculiar set of circumstances prevailing in the cement trade around the period 1978. During that period, cement distributors were frequently, wrongly castigated for shortfalls in the flow of the commodity in the market.
This situation made a few dedicated cement merchants feel that a correct perspective of the trade needs to be highlighted and addressed. Therefore, on 13th May 1978, the Cement Stockists and Dealers Association of Bombay (CS&DAB) was established as a non-profit body to help protect and promote the welfare and interest of the trade.
Almost immediately after the formation of our Association, complete control was imposed on the distribution of cement during October 1978. In February 1982, the Government announced a policy of partial decontrol of cement. During this period, the trading fraternity faced numerous challenges on many fronts, including meagre margins, low quota for distribution and even no quota for some of our members, etc.
Our Association played a stellar role in alleviating the difficulties faced by our members, by holding several meetings with the Minister and the Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Government of Maharashtra and other related departments, where the untenable conditions in which the trade functioned, were effectively represented.
The efforts of the Association did bear fruit and helped margins to a considerable extent, to the satisfaction of our members.
Over the decades, in the wake of the changed economic and industrial climate, the Association multiplied its activities and expanded its role to embrace several additional tasks and responsibilities, so that it could effectively function as a vital link between manufacturers, traders, consumers and the Government, to the mutual benefit of all concerned.
In the current post-liberalization era, the Association performs several useful functions which include, amongst other things, disseminating information and interpretation of new laws and legislation affecting our trade by inviting experts in the field, evolving guidelines both for fair-play and safety norms to be adopted for smooth and safe functioning of the trade in a fiercely competitive and financially unsafe market environment.
In addition, the Association considers, keeping the vital link between stockists, manufacturers and other constituents touching the trade healthy and effective, an important aspect of its functioning, by ensuring an ongoing process of dialogue and conflict resolution, facilitating settlement of disputes both between the fraternity and intra between manufacturers, authorities and the consumer.
The Association has taken significant strides in its 30 plus years’ existence and through the selfless service and unstinted support of its members and office bearers, has evolved into an organization of strength and stature, earning the respect of all constituents of the trade.
The Association pledges its total commitment to its members and their well-being.
President's Message
Mr Nikesh Parekh
Cement Stockist & Dealers Association of Bombay
Dear Friends,
It gives me immense pleasure and profound joy to address you all as the President of our Association in the 45th year after its formation.
As an active member of the Association, it is my privilege to serve you as the President during the term. In very beginning of the tenure I had communicated to the Executive Committee members full confidence in the ability of the team I belong to today. The challenges faced by the cement trade are many. Hence, any amount of work the Association does with active involvement of Office Bearers, Sub-Committee, and the Secretary will always fall short of the needs.
During the year under review, the Indian economy has performed reasonably well with very attractive growth rates reflecting strong consumer demand for almost all goods and services. The years ahead could, however, be challenging as the government endeavours to curb inflationary growth.
I would like to caution our members that the forthcoming two or three years are going to be very difficult as Reserve Bank of India has started tightening the credit policy by restricting money supply into the financial market and increasing the rate of interest which will have adverse impact on the construction industry particularly housing sector as housing loans will be costly. So, I advise all the members to be very cautious while extending credit to builders and contractors as there can be delays or defaults in payments from them.
I request the members to bring it to the notice of the Trade Sub-Committee of our Association if you find any difficulty in recovering your dues within a reasonable time as per the norms and terms of our Association.
To conclude, I would appeal that if you are not actively engaged yet and would like to play an active role, I urge you to participate in the activities of the Association and engage directly by taking a lead in any of the assignments of the Association – it is easy, it does not cost you anything and it provides an avenue for direct involvement in the Association. Please be part of the change I wish to bring in, I hope you will join in advancing our ever evolving and ever growing initiatives.
I earnestly look forward to all the members’ unstinted co-operation and unflinching support in fulfilling my duties and to meet the challenges in the future.
I would once again wish to thank you for your support and confidence posed by you on me.
I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Dhimant Mehta, the outgoing President for his long and useful contribution to our Association.
Mr. Nikesh Parekh
President
Our Past Presidents
2017 - 2022 Mr. Dhimant Mehta
2011 - 2017 Mr. Madhusudan Shah
1987 - 2011 Mr. Sanjay U Ladiwala
1986 - 1987 Mr. V K Chopra
1985 - 1986 Mr. M P Dave
1984 - 1985 Mr. V K Chopra
1983 - 1984 Mr. N M Mehta
1979 - 1983 Mr. Sanjay U Ladiwala
1978 - 1979 Mr. Vijay M Rawat
Executive Committee
2021-Current
The Association has Seven Office Bearers who are elected for a two year period. In addition to the Office bearers, the executive committee has eight members ensures robust support for the association to achieve its the goals. All office bearers & executive committee work on honorary basis.
