The CPI (M) State secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram has warned the government that the Left parties and trade unions would lay siege to the Assembly if it fails to implement the demands of beedi workers immediately.
Addressing the huge public meeting of beedi workers held under the banner of Beedi and Cigar Workers’ Union affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), here on Monday, he said that the TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao before the elections had wooed the beedi workers with the promise of Rs.1,000 pension per month to every beedi worker and got their votes.
The TRS swept the elections in the district only with the support of beedi workers as they were in considerable numbers in all the nine Assembly constituencies, he said and added that the Congress was defeated as it failed to keep its promise to implement the payment of minimum wages after issuing the G.O No. 41.
“Therefore, I want to appeal to the present Chief Minister not to invite the same fate if he wishes to have the support of scores of beedi workers.
The Congress Government buckling under the pressure of managements of beedi companies kept the G.O. No.41 in abeyance by bringing another G.O in its place,” said Mr. Veerabhadarm.
Saying that the CPI (M) would always extend support to working classes in all their agitations for the betterment of life, he said over three lakh families of beedi workers would get benefitted if the Chief Minister kept his promise.
The CPI (M) district secretary Dandi Venkati who presided over the meeting said that the beedi workers under the aegis of the union would wage relentless struggles until their demands were met with. Party leaders P. Venkatramulu, A. Ramesh, Noorjahan, Govardhan and others were present.
Earlier they took out a motorcycle rally from Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium to Collectorate.
A large number of beedi workers arrived from all parts of the district participated in the meeting.
Women beedi workers stage dharna
Karimnagar Special Correspondent adds: Women beedi workers have staged a massive dharna in front of Collectorate here on Monday demanding that the government provide dearness allowance of Rs. 1,000 per month to all the beedi workers in Telangana state.
Stating that Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao had announced during the elections that he would provide DA of Rs 1,000 per month to all beedi workers, they demanded the government to fulfil the promise as the beedi industry was reeling under crisis.
They also urged the government to ensure that the beedi workers get 26 days of employment.
