New Delhi, May 9: The government has scaled up its effort to bring down inflation. After successfully persuading the steel manufacturer to cut prices on Wednesday, government has also secured assurances from cement manufacturers, who have agreed to lower prices.

Minister of state for industry Ashwani Kumar said cement manufacturers have assured that in the next two to three days, after consulting among themselves, they would put forward their proposals on price cut to government.

He said all efforts of the government are being focused on comprehensive and calibrated steps to attack each factor that contributed to inflation. He added that, "Government is not helpless and has means to ensure that prices are brought down," and inflation should start easing - come down by at least one percentage point - within eight weeks.