Harish Rao about beedi workers

Hyderabad June 14: Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao said Telangana has become the first State in the country to give pensions to beedi workers.He said here on Tuesday.

Though people in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal would also engage in the collection of beedi leaves and rolling beedis, the Minister said none of these States initiated any welfare measure for the benefit of the beedi workers.

Rao handed over pension certificates to 903 women in Siddipet town during a programme here on Tuesday.



The women will get Rs 1,000 pension every month from June. The Minster said about 3.5 lakh beedi workers were receiving pensions in Telangana now.

In Siddipet district alone, some 43,000 people were receiving a pension, he said. The Minister took part in several developments works on a hectic day in Siddipet district. He also attended an Ifthar party at Husnabd on Tuesday late evening.