Angul, Odisha : The Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), convened its 15th Triennial Convention at Sri Vidyalaya, Anojiguda, Telangana. Over two days, the event brought together more than 150 representatives from 14 Indian states. Moreover, a five-member delegation from Odisha actively participated to share their insights on worker welfare, highlighting the strengths of the Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh.
First, the convention hosted by the Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh focused on challenges faced by nearly nine million bidi workers nationwide. Furthermore, leaders passed four major resolutions emphasizing pension benefits, provident fund inclusion, reviving the Bidi Workers Welfare Board, and improving medical services under ESIC hospitals. Additionally, they stressed the need for timely implementation of welfare schemes to ensure better outcomes for workers.
Next, the delegates decided to submit a detailed memorandum to the Union Labour Minister through district collectors between November 6 and 7, urging the government to address pending social security and labor welfare demands presented by the Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh.
During the session, the convention elected the new Central Committee for 2025–2028. Shri Velu Radha Krishnan will serve as Central Minister, while Shri Om Prakash Mahato and Shri Sudhir Kumar will take the positions of President and General Secretary respectively of the Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh. Meanwhile, Odisha’s representatives, Shri Srinibas Khuntia and Shri Chandrashekhar Sagada, were elected Vice President and Secretary.
Furthermore, Angul district leaders Shri Prashant Kumar Sahu (President) and Shri Ajay Padhi (Secretary) congratulated the new office bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Bidi Mazdoor Mahasangh, expressing confidence that the leadership will strengthen the nationwide movement for bidi workers’ welfare. As a result, they expect practical improvements in workers’ lives across India.
Finally, the convention concluded with a call for unity, urging stakeholders to actively engage with policymakers to achieve lasting reforms in India’s unorganized labor sector.
