Mangalore: The Dakshina Kannada Beedi Workers’ Federation under the banner of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and South Canara Beedi Workers’ Federation (CITU) at South Canara Home Industires, Lalbagh took-up a demonstration on Friday July 4.

Once again agitating over the payment of the dearness allowance, the beedi workers held a protest rally from Ballabagh bus stand to South Canara Home Industires, Lalbagh, where they held a protest meet.

Addressing the protestors the CITU secretary J Balakrishna Shetty stated that the government has ordered the beedi employers to pay Rs 21.15 as dearness allowance (DA) per 1000 beedis with effect from April 2014, however the payments have not made.

The last allowance was paid in April, after which for the past four months no allowance has been paid. The dearness allowance must be considered and action should be taken, he pleaded.

Moreover he alleged that the BJP and Modi have made false promises about reducing the prices over commodities, there are more than 6 lac beedi workers in the district alone and the government is least bothered about it, he stated.

“In Dakshina Kannada more than 6 lac beedi workers are facing financial problems. BJP and Modi government lied to the people of India that they would bring down the prices. But now prices of fuel, electricity, vegetables, gas and many other essential commodities are hiked,” he added.

Sitaram Berinje, B M Bhat and others were present during the protest.