About the Book

Beedi industry is now more than a century old. Ever since the introduction of tobacco cultivation in the country a sizeable segment of labour force is engaged in different processes of tobacco from its production to consumption.

The most visible and important aspect of tobacco use is its transformation into beedis. Today the beedi making alone engages more than four million workers, including children and most of them are home-based and piece rated. Their plight attracted attention of the authorities and as a result, some welfare measures have been adopted by the Government of India.

The present volume provides a comprehensive picture of global tobacco industry, tendu leaf production, beedi workers in India, their problems and the welfare measures. It also critically examines the process of operation of the fund and suggests measures for improving the system to make it more beedi-workers friendly.

The book may be useful for policy makers, organizers of beedi workers, researchers and students of Labour Economics.


Rs 900
US$ 45

About Author

Uday Kumar Varma, Senior Indian Administrative Service Officer is presently working as Director, V.V.Giri National Labour Institute, an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. He is a Post Graduate in Public Administration from Harvard University, USA and Gold Medalist in B.Sc. (Hons.) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He has held important positions both in Government of Madhya Pradesh and Government of India.

M.M.Rehman is Sr. Fellow at the V.V.Giri National Labour Institute. He is author of several books and research reports on various aspects of Indian labour scenario.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Tables
1. Introduction: The Industry

2. Profile of Tobacco and Beedi Workers

3. Tendu Leaf and the Workers

4. Beedi Workers: Life and Living

5. Beedi Workers Welfare Fund and Research Design

6. Beedi Workers in Madhya Pradesh

7. Growth Pattern of Welfare Schemes: Physical and Financial

8. Welfare Commission Personnel Profile

9. Dispensary: The Operating Field Agency

10. The Epicentre of Welfare Fund

11. The Grassroots Reality: Beneficiaries and Benefits

12. Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Fund

13. Making the Process User Friendly

14. Towards Building A Dynamic Framework

15. The Stakeholders: Views and Suggestions

16. Efficiency and Effectiveness-Conclusions

Appendices
I. District and Tehsil-wise Figures of Beedi Workers in Madhya Pradesh/Chattishgarh: 1995-96
II. District-wise Details of Beedi Workers Identified till December 2002 in the Region of Madhya Pradesh and Chattishgrah
III. List of Beedi Factories/Industries by Districts in Madhya Pradesh and Chattishgarh
IV. Statement Showing the Number of Dispensaries Sanctioned under Beedi Workers Welfare Fund
V.Check List
VI. Demands Made in the Representation Handed Over to Labour Minister by Joint Action Committee of Beedi Workers who organised a march to Parliament on 27.11.01 and Comments Thereon319

Annexures
I. Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966
II. Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1976
III. The Cegarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003
IV. Map Showing Concentration of Beedi Workers in Sagar Districts

Bibliography

Index
 

Additional Info.