TRS calls for bandh on 'skull, cross bones'on beedi packs issue

Hyderabad, Apr 19 (UNI) Estranged ally of the Congress Party's, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), has called for a bandh in three districts of Andhra Pradesh tomorrow to exert pressure on the UPA Government to scrap its order making mandatory the carrying of ''skull and cross bones'' logo on beedi packets.

The bandh will be observed in the districts of Medak, Karimnagar and Nizamabad which have a very high concentration of beedi manufacturing units TRS President, K Chandrasekara Rao, who had retained his Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat in the recent by-election, focussed on the plight of beedi workers in the wake of the Centre's order, he also castigated the Manmohan Singh Government for dilly-dallying on withdrawing the order.

"It was a question of life and death for the poor beedi workers, particularly a large number of women dependent on beedi rolling for a living", Mr Rao told reporters here today.

The bandh was also to protest against the failure of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to put pressure on the Centre after promising to come to the rescue of lakhs of beedi workers eking out a living during the Karimnagar by-election, former Union Minister of State for Rural Development and TRS Senior Leader A Narendra said.

Accusing the TDP of adopting double standards by supporting the Bill moved by the then NDA Government to implement the health order and agitating now to gain 'political mileage, Mr Narendra asked the TDP to use its clout with its new-found ally Communist Party of India (Marxist), which was extending crucial outside support to the UPA Government and to ensure that the Manmohan Singh Government withdrew the order.

Meanwhile, Mr Rao performed 'Shramdhan' by making fruit juices and rolling pan to raise funds for the party's 'Viswarupa Mahasabhas' in Warangal District on April 27.

UNI