Date:11/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/11/stories/2007051108600400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Centre urged to scrap statutory warning order

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Karnataka Beedi Industries Association and the Mysore Beedi Mazdoor Association on Thursday demanded that Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss withdraw the order on printing a statutory warning on beedi packets. The move would destroy the industry and crores of beedi workers would be ruined, they said.

Association president Jagannath Shenoy and mazdoor association general secretary K.C. Showkath Pasha said that three crore people were engaged in manufacturing beedis, including 15 lakh in the State.

Terming the order "anti-poor and pro-cigarette manufacturing lobby", they said 1.5 lakh farmers were growing tobacco in the State and the beedi rollers were mostly Muslim women. The order would destroy the cottage industry.

Attacking the adamant attitude of the United Progressive Alliance Government on their demand, Mr. Shenoy and Mr. Pasha said beedi workers had held rallies protesting against it.