Dinesh Beedi merges its branches as struggle for survival continues

With industry experiencing a perennial decline, move is part of a bid to sustain operations

- LAKSHMI ATHIRA @Kannur

The Dinesh Beedi Workers' Cooperative Society, a landmark institution born from a labour movement in 1969, is now teetering on the edge of extinction.

As part of its survival strategy, the Pappinissery and third-level branches of the society have been merged with the Chirakkal branch. Also, the office-bearers have decided to consolidate other primary branches, including those in Azhikode and Kannur, to function as a single entity in a bid to sustain operations.

At its peak, the Dinesh Beedi industry provided employment to around 42,000 workers across the Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Today, only 2,001 workers remain. There are 16 Dinesh beedi branches under which 82 small-scale units exist, each having an average of 20 workers. Until now, the Pappinissery and Azhikode branches were operating under the Azhikode Dinesh Beedi Industrial Cooperative Centre.