The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Government to hold rally of beedi workers

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Government to hold rally of beedi workers

Special Correspondent

Claims credit for removal of skull and cross-bones mark
Centre agrees to a statutory warning on beedi packets

HYDERABAD: The State Government will organise a public meeting either in Karimnagar or Nizamabad district in a couple of months to focus its success story in getting the pictures of skull and cross-bones mark removed from beedi packets.

Labour Minister G. Vinod stated at a news conference here on Saturday that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Union Ministers would address the rally to be attended by beedi workers.

He emphasised that the latest decision of the Centre to do away with the pictorials on beedi packets was largely influenced by efforts of the State Government. The Centre responded positively to a letter by Dr. Reddy to reconsider its stand to have the pictorials on beedi packets as it would adversely affect the industry that was a major source of employment to 12 lakh workers.

The Group of Ministers led by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee which examined the issue, veered round to the view of the State Government, Mr. Vinod said.

The Minister said the Centre has revised its stand by agreeing to a statutory warning on beedi packets like in the case of cigarettes. Moreover, it was only optional.

Meanwhile, APCC president K. Keshava Rao expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister for their decision and said it vindicated the Congress party’s stand on beedi packets. He also thanked the Chief Minister for his efforts.

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