Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 25: Beedi workers’ union staged a protest here at Mini Vidhana Soudha on Thursday February 25, against the central government over the decision of amending Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

Meanwhile the protestors took out a rally from Milagres to Mini Vidhana Soudha.

District Beedi Workers’ Union held placards against the central government over the decision to amend COTPA. Placards like ‘Why Rs 2,000 fine for those who smoke beedi’, ‘Why licence made compulsory to sell beedi’, ‘Why raise age bar from 18 to 21 to smoke beedi’ among others were displayed during the protest.

The protestors objected the move made by state and central government to amend COTPA which will push workers to dire straits without any alternative job creation for beedi workers. When COTPA was introduced in 2003, it had affected the beedi workers and now amending the act will make the condition of the beedi workers even worse, the protestors said

CITU district secretary J Balkrishna Shetty, president HMS Mohammed Rafi, secretary Harish K S, AITCU secretary Seetharam Berinja and others were present.