Prices of building materials are soaring in Anhui Province, east China, which was devastated by heavy floods this summer, and the provincial government has ordered a price freeze.

The government has criticized some local manufacturers and businessmen who are trying to cash in on the demand from people whose homes and livelihoods have been damaged or destroyed.

Cement is selling for an average of 320 yuan (38 US dollars) per ton, up 45.5 percent year on year; a brick sells at 0.17 yuan (two US cents), up 41.2 percent; steel plate sells at 3,050 yuan ( 367 US dollars) per ton, up 38.6 percent; and wood sells at 1,300 yuan (156 US dollars) per cubic meter, up 8.3 percent.

The government has placed limits on the price hikes, ordering the prices of cement and steel plates not to exceed 10 percent of prices before the floods, while the limit for bricks and tiles is 15 percent.

Those who try to manipulate the building materials market will be severely punished, the decree says. Efforts will also be made to stabilize grain and vegetable prices.

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