TRS MP Kavitha today once again urged the Centre to reduce the size of the skull printed on the bundles of Beedies in the state of Telangana. Kavitha on Sunday called on Union Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya at Dilkush Guest House and handed over a letter against the decision to increase the size of the Warning Skull.
Later she told reporters that she urged Dattatreya to protect the Beedi industry from facing closure problem by implementing the decision. The Centre should give exemption to Beedi industry by repealing the GO 727 as it will have adverse effect on the Beedi industry, she expressed concern. Dattatreya agreed to take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in this regard, she said. Dattatreya also said that he will ask the Centre to remove the picture of skull on Beedi bundles, she said. The closure of Beedi industries will throw the 1.50 crore workers on to the roads which will only add to their woes, she said. Kavitha exuded confidence that the Centre will withdraw its decision and protect workers interests. She opposed the Centre’s decision of covering the Beedi bundles with 85 per cent picture of skull.
The Nizamabad MP asked Dattatreya to ensure cancellation of the GO., since about 1.5 crore workers, most of them women, are eking out their livelihood on manufacturing Beedies at their homes and companies, and the decision will hamper their revenue, she said.
Reacting on the Congress leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka’s criticism on Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s power point presentation on irrigation projects, she alleged that the former and his colleagues ran away from the Assembly. IF the Congress conducts a similar presentation, the TRS leaders will attend it, she said. Vikramarka should have remained in the Assembly to talk on the crucial issue instead of skipping the CM’s presentation, she added. (NSS)