Lakhs of beedi workers face uncertain future as industry might shut production

 

Mangaluru, 09 Apr 2016: The All India Beedi Industry Federation has expressed fears that the industry might face closure due to the compulsion on 85% of warning graphic that should be displayed on the pack, as per directions by the Central Government.

 

The federation has urged the government to drop the law stating that crores of beedi workers and tobacco growers would lose their livelihood.

 

 

It is said that after agriculture, beedi industry was the highest employer in the country. Beedi industry is a livelihood for nearly 80 lakh people residing in several villages and about five lakh people are involved in beedi packaging. Nearly two crore people are directly and indirectly dependent on the beedi industry and now the industry has become a scapegoat because of the mandatory clause.

 

Sources say that beedi is packed in a triangular shape and the warning graphics may take up 40% of the space and 85% was highly impossible. The Parliamentary Committee has recommended warning graphic up to 50%.