Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi(HB)
Udupi, Mar 17: Hundreds of Bidi workers, beedi contractors, members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions and All India Trade Union Congress jointly staged a massive protest against central government’s ban on tobacco products near DC’s office on Tuesday, March 17.
Addressing the protesters, Vittal Poojary said, “By the end of 2020, the tobacco product will stop completely. If so, Prime Minister Modi should arrange alternative jobs for bidi workers. The Bidi workers depend on bidi rolling for their livelihood. The amendment of the Bill would be take away the livelihood of all Bidi workers”.
The protesters also held a protest march from Tiger circle to Rajathadri Manipal.
The workers demanded the central government to withdraw the proposed bill on tobacco. Nearly 10 lac people earn their daily bread through this profession. The Act will spoil the lives of poor workers demanded the protesters.
Balakrishna Shetty said, “The amendment of Cigarettes and other tobacco products Act 2003 will also spoil the supplementary crops. The government should withdraw this act and give up unsystematic amendment”.
The Bidi workers union demanded that the centre should not suddenly impose ban on tobacco products without proper rehabilitation for the Bidi workers. The members of the committee also demanded for BPL cards and housing facility for the deprived beedi workers.
The Bidi workers need to be provided with ID cards for all benefits for free medical checkups in government hospitals.
The central government should invest all collected cess into Bidi workers’ welfare board, central government should bear all the expenses of welfare board administration. The central government should also increase scholarship amount of Beedi worker’s children along with medical expenditure.
Mahabal Odera Hobali, president of CITU, Shekar, vice-president of joint committee, K Laxman, chief secretary, Shashikala Girish, secretary, KV Bhat, treasurer and others were present