Mangalore: Disgruntled Bidi Workers Attempt to Besiege DC's Office
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Jul 26: Hundreds of bidi workers on Thursday July 26 made a futile attempt to lay siege to deputy commissioner’s office here, demanding bidi scholarships which they claimed had stopped reaching their children three years ago.

After a demonstration in front of the main gate of the DC’s office, bidi workers' union leaders demanded the DC appears near the protest venue to listen to their grievances, failing which they threatened to lay siege to the office. However, police took all the protestors into custody in three vans.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, P Sanjiva, president of South Kanara Bidi Workers' Federation (affiliated to AITUC) said that children of bidi workers used to get scholarships through schools, which helped the parents in providing education to their children.

"However,  the government suddenly decided to remit the bidi scholarship money to bank accounts. Ever since then, the issue has become a matter of confusion as neither the school management, bidi workers’ union nor the parents are aware of the money being credited to their accounts. However, bidi workers have been contributing the money to welfare fund in anticipation of the scholarship money," he said.

He also said the rules with regard to application for scholarships should not be changed every year.
 
"The government’s move to withdraw the bidi scholarship money for children from 1st to 8th standard should be cancelled and the arrears meant for them should be paid," he demanded, adding that sub-office of bidi workers’ welfare department should be opened in the city.

"Also, a minimum of Rs 3,000 should be paid as monthly pension to bidi workers," he said.
 
A large procession was taken out by the bidi workers from Town Hall to DC’s office. AITUC honorary president B Vishwanath, treasurer B Shekar, K V Bhat Udupi, B M Hassainer , Karunakar, S E Anchan among others were present.