CM hails decision to defer pictoral warning on beedi packs

Hyderabad, Dec 3 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today hailed the Central Government's decision to defer printing the symbol of skull and cross bones on beedi packs with a view to help beedi workers and the industry in the country.

Addressing a press conference he said the Government had taken the decision on the representation from the state government, beedi workers and Parliament members on the implications ofthe notification which would come into force from February one next year.

Dr Reddy said NDA government had introduced the Bill in 2001 for pictoral warning on each beedi bundle which was supported by the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) without looking into the welfare of 32 lakh beedi workers, growers and industry in the country.

He said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to Prime Minister on February 22, 2002 on the representations from trade unions and others expressing grave concern about the effect of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Product (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Bill 2001.

In the letter she said the representations of the trade unions were that alternate crops for tobacco growers and alternate employment for beedi workers must be identified first and the Labour and Agriculture Ministries had no plans for rehabilitation of the affected workers and farmers, he said.

The state government and the UPA was committed to the welfare of beedi workers and industry, he added.

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