YSR's assurance to beedi workers on warning sign

Hyderabad, Nov 29 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the state government would solve the problems and protect the interests of beedi workers.

He told a delegation of women beedi worker families from Karimnagar and Sirisilla, who met him here, the government would not allow the closure of the beedi industry.

Dr Reddy said the previous NDA Government and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had supported the Tobacco Production (Regulation) Act, 2003 which among other provisions made it mandatory for the industry to print the image of skull and bones on beedi packets affecting the livelihood of crores of workers and tobacco growers.

He gave an assurance to solve the problem before the Act came into force from February one next year.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes had already promised him the government would take all steps to remove the provision making it mandatory for beedi makers to carry the warning sign.

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