Beedi workers take out rally, demand monthly pension

Sircilla (Karimnagar): Beedi workers under the banner of Communist Party of India (CPI) took out a massive rally here on Monday demanding Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party to fulfil election promises given to them. Rally was organised from Karmika Bhavan to the office of Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) with more than 1000 beedi workers. Later, beedi workers have submitted a memorandum to RDO.

Speaking on the occasion, CPI leader S Mallesham said that the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao should implement monthly pension of Rs 1000 for beedi workers immediately as TRS party had assured of sanctioning pension in previous elections. He stated that the Chief Minister, who had completed an integrated household survey within a day, should take measures for enumerating beedi workers in the state for speedy implementation of monthly pension.

The CPI leader said that owners of beedi manufacturing units are providing work for only 10 days in a month for beedi workers. He asked the Telangana government to take measures for providing work throughout the month for beedi workers. He has alleged that owners of beedi units are exploiting hard work of beedi workers by underpaying them. He said that the TRS government should take steps to ensure prescribed wages are paid to beedi workers. CPI leaders have warned the state government that they would intensify protests if problems of beedi workers were not resolved.