Stir against pictoral warning on beedi packs to continue: TDP

Hyderabad, Jun 16 (UNI) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today warned that if would intensify its agitation against the Centre's decision to print 'skull and crossed bones' symbol on the beedi packs as a statutory warning.

In a statement here, party general secretary E Peddi Reddy alleged the assurance given by the state government to the beedi workers that the Centre had deferred its decision was 'false.' He said in his reply to a letter by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramdoss had asserted that the government was keen on its decision and it would be implemented after May 31.

The Union Minister had said in the letter there was no truth in the arguement that beedi workers would be jobless because of the warning adding previous studies had proved that such warnings would have no financial effect on manufacturing units.

Condemning the attitude of the Centre, Mr Reddy asked the party workers and various beedi worker unions to prepare themselves for a protracted struggle against the move.

UNI