Karnataka - Mangalore   

Chief Minister promises to look into problems of beedi industry

Staff Correspondent

Workers complain of inability to find fixed days of work in a week

MANGALORE: The beedi industry in the State received a shot in the arm on Sunday with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy agreeing to visit beedi-rolling units to make a first-hand study of the problems faced by workers.

The Chief Minister gave this assurance on the "Hello CM" programme aired by Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore. Participating in the programme, Mr. Kumaraswamy heard the grievances of women working in the sector.

Their complaints ranged from non-receipt of scholarships for children of beedi workers, inability to find fixed days of work in a week, non-issuance of passbooks and lack of health facilities.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would visit the district soon and interact with workers.

Stating that he was aware of the workers' problems, a majority of whom are women from lower income groups, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would pay attention to their problems.

Mahesh Joshi, Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore, said the visuals shown on the programme, which were telecast live were shot in and around Mangalore. They depicted the process involved in beedi-rolling and the manner in which the workers go through the grind. P. Hemavathi, chief convener of the Guruvayanakere-based Beedi Workers' Protection Forum, welcomed Mr. Kumaraswamy's announcement. She hoped the Chief Minister's proposed visit to the district would go a long way in addressing their problems.

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