Andhra Pradesh   

Inflation worries women beedi workers

Harsh life: Widows roll beedies to eke out their livelihood in Sircilla town of Karimnagar district.

SIRCILLA (KARIMNAGAR DT): “Our husbands committed suicide because of unemployment and increasing debts. Now, we will die of starvation as we are unable to purchase essential commodities because of inflation,” wailed widows of Sircilla town, who are eking out their living by rolling beedies.

The town is known for power looms and beedi-making industry. During the power loom sector crisis, women helped their families by rolling beedies. There are about 5,000 widows doing this work. Although, a large number of weavers ended their lives, women faced the situation by taking care of the families.

While some widows could repay debts, helped by the government package, several others are still waiting for relief. Goli Kalpana, 32, says “My monthly income by rolling beedies would not cross Rs.1,000-1,500 and my pension Rs.200. I have to pay rent of Rs.600 for two rooms, power bill ranging from Rs.100-150, hospital expenses of Rs.200-300 and purchase household items. I may get 35 kg of rice at Rs.70 a month. But what about other expenditure, such as purchasing vegetables and oil and education and marriage of my daughter and son?”

Another widow, Kokkula Saroja, 35, says that she would be forced to commit suicide along with her two children as they are unable to live by rolling beedies in these days of high cost of living.

“If I roll 1,000 beedies, I will get only Rs. 50 a day. Actually, the company should pay Rs.68 for rolling 1,000 beedies, but it deducts some amount in the name of loss of tendu leaf,” she complains.

“Sometimes I feel my husband took the right decision by ending his life.

I also feel like doing the same but I have to take care of my two school-going children,” bemoaned Laxmi of B.Y. Nagar.

She is down with a chest disease after being exposed to tobacco and is unable to roll out more beedies to improve her income and meet her daily requirements.

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