KARIMNAGAR: Minister for Roads and Buildings T. Jeevan Reddy has said that the printing of danger mark (skull and crossed bones) on beedi packets will be kept in abeyance till the Government provides alternative employment to beedi workers.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Minister said that the Union Government had promised to constitute an expert committee on providing alternative employment to the beedi workers, ill effects of consuming tobacco products, measures to educate people on ill effects of consuming tobacco products and other issues.

The Union Government took a decision to this effect after Minister for Labour G. Vinod met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Health and Labour Ministers and explained about displacement of several lakh beedi workers after printing of danger mark on beedi packets.

Mr. Jeevan Reddy said that the printing of danger mark on beedi packets would be kept in abeyance till the expert submits its report to the Union Government. It may be recalled that Government had instructed the beedi companies to print the danger mark from June 1, 2007.

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