Centre to set up GoM over alternative jobs for beedi workers

Hyderabad, May 10 (UNI) The Centre would constitute a three-member ministerial group to look into providing alternative employment for beedi workers in view of its decision to print the logo of 'skull and bones' on beedi packs from June 1, Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister G Vinod said today.

Addressing a news conference here, he said he had met Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes on April 27 and urged him to take measures to provide alternative employment for about 15 lakh beedi workers in the state.

''Mr Fernandes told me that the Centre had received several representations from seven states to look into the issue and it would constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) comprising External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Fernandes himself and Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on May 13 or 14,'' Mr Vinod said.

He said the GoM would study the problems of the beedi workers and submit a report.

However, Mr Fernandes stated that the Government would implement the logo from June 1.

Mr Vinod said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Fernandes during his visit to Delhi to deliberate on the issue.

The state government would also constitute a committee after discussing the matter with the Chief Minister after his return from the US.

UNI