Beedi units to go on 10-day strike from today

The Telangana Beedi Manufacturers Association on Monday said that the Union Health Ministry issued the notification GSR 727(E) on October 15, 2014 directing the beedi manufacturers to print a skull with throat cancer symbol on the beedi bundles and enlarge the danger sign by 85 per cent from April 1 this year

Nizamabad: The beedi industry would be shut down from Tuesday onwards in Telangana State due to the protest against the norms issued by the Union Health Ministry which were affecting the sales of beedi products.

The Telangana Beedi Manufacturers Association on Monday said that the Union Health Ministry issued the notification GSR 727(E) on October 15, 2014 directing the beedi manufacturers to print a skull with throat cancer symbol on the beedi bundles and enlarge the danger sign by 85 per cent from April 1 this year.

Speaking to the media in the town on Monday, Hitendra Upadhyaya, president of the association and Dharmendra Gandhi, general secretary, said that they were already implementing the norms now issued by Union Health Ministry by publishing 45 per cent size of the danger symbol, but now this new notification directed them to increase it by 85 per cent on the beedi rolls.

He said that already people were reluctant to purchase beedis and cigarettes due to the enhanced awareness on health and the sales would fall down drastically with the new measure. How we can publish our company’s and product’s names on the rolls if the danger sign occupies 85 per cent of the space, he asked.

Hitendera Upadyay said that in Telangana nearly 10 lakh labourers were dependent directly and indirectly on the beedi industry and all over India nearly one crore people were earning their livelihood through this industry, he added. If the industry gets shut down, how they could make a living, he questioned. The beedi workers would be thrown out on the streets, he lamented.

He urged the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Nizamabad MP Kavitha to hold discussions with the Union government about this new notification and convince them to reduce the symbol area on beedi bundles to protect the industry.

He said that if the size was made 85 per cent, it would not be possible to print the expiry date on the rolls and warned the government that they would be forced to intensify their agitation if the government fails to withdraw its GO.

Telangana Beedi Workers Joint Action Committee staged a protest against this notification in front of Nizamabad Tahsildar office. T Balraj, president, Telangana Beedi and Cigar Workers Federation said that nearly three lakh workers in Nizamabad were dependent on the beedi industry in Telangana State.

Apart from Nizamabad town, dharnas were held by the beedi workers in various mandals like Vailpoor, Balkonda, Bodhan, Armoor and other places of the district. Speaking to the media, Rajavva, a beedi worker said that they earn nearly Rs 1,500 per month through this industry and if it shuts down, they would lose their livelihood. Even during the 10-day strike, they would suffer a lot, she added and urged the government to immediately accept their demands and provide work.