Pictorial warning issue will be taken up with Centre: Minister

Hyderabad, Oct 27 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister G Vinod today assured to take up the issue of implementation of pictorial warning on beedi packets with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government the issue of implementation of pictorial warning on beedi packets.

Speaking at a Conference of Beedi workers, tobacco farmers and retailers here, Mr Vinod said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was very particular that the pictorial warning should not be implemented without providing alternative employment to those dependent on it.

The state government would strive to ensure that the pictorial warning of body of a deceased person on beedi packets was put on hold, he promised, adding, ''no government can violate the fundamental right of workers.'' Former Minister S Santosh Reddy, who was also present, said the government should leave it to an individual whether to use tobacco or not as the lives of lakhs of workers would be affected if the Union Government went ahead with the pictorial warning.

UNI