Tobacco, Tendu Leaf and Beedi Workers in India : Problems and Prospects

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction: the industry. 2. Profile of Tobacco and Beedi workers. 3. Tendu Leaf and the workers. 4. Beedi workers: life and livings. 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 Chattishgarh. 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.

"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." (jacket)