CHAPTER V

 

INDUSTRIES

 

(a)   Old-time Industries and Industrial Development

 

              Mansa has remained an industrially backward district mainly due to unfavourable geographical conditions, lack of communications and scarcity of basic raw materials. More than 75.59 per cent population of the district is engaged in agriculture and allied activities, so the main occupation of the people is agriculture. In  the past, cotton, sarson and gram were the main crops of the district. Therefore some agro-based industries like oil ghani and cotton ginning were set up in the district. There were, however, some traditional industries, which were hereditary in character and were carried on by the rural or local artisans from the ancient times. Such industries mainly catered to the local needs of the people and included artisans like carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, weavers, etc. The manufactures carried on by the artisans were the simple trades by which the produce of the village was prepared to suit the simple wants of the agricultural population. With the passage of time some agrobased industries (workshops) were also set up at Budhlada, Bhikhi, Bareta and Sardulgarh.

             The district has now made a rapid industrial progress in respect of certain industries such as rice shellers, tyre retreading, rubber goods, tractor parts, fuel briquettes, repairing of electronic goods, flour mills, dairy products, leather shoes and other leather products, colour lab, etc. There are 28 rice mills  which process paddy crop in the district. Cotton ginning and oil ghani industries have been gradually declined due to various reason.

             The Department of Industries provides various facilities such as single window clearance system for site clearances, NOC/ consent from Pollution Control Board and power connection from PSEB with a single free application (all under notified schedule time) for timely implementation of projects; availability of abundant reliable and cheap power and water supply; sound infrastructural facilities including transportation and telecommunication; strong agricultural and well developed small/medium scale industrial base; conducive and harmonious industrial relations; highly educated and professional workforce with abundance of skilled manpower; and representative and dedicated administrative set up committed to free enterprise for the development of industries in the State.

              

(b)   State Aid to Industries

            The Punjab Government  has  realized  that the  future economic

 

98

 prosperity of a state hinges upon comprehensive development of the industrial sector, the Government has extended a number of facilities to the intending industrialists and entrepreneurs, who want to set up new industrial units or to expand or modernize through its existing industrial policies.  Prior to 1981-82, the industrial units in the state were eligible for grants-in-aid and subsidy on the loans advanced under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act 1935. But this practice has been discontinued and now the industrial units set up in the state are given incentives on land, building, taxation, etc. under various industrial policies.

          At present the facilities to the industrial units in the state are provided under new Industrial Policy and Incentive Code 1996. According to this Industrial Policy, Mansa District has been placed under category ‘A’ Grade Growth Area. All small-scale industrial units under this category are provided investment incentives (capital subsidy), at the rate of 30 per cent of fixed capital investment subject to maximum of Rs 50 lakh. Incentive to other industrial units are provided as under:

 

1    Agro based Industry

     (a) Investment incentive at the rate of 30 per cent of the fixed capital investment subject to   a maximum of Rs 50.00 lakh.

    (b) Sales Tax exemption or deferment for 120 months subject to           maximum of 300 per cent of fixed capital investment.

     (c)  Generator set subsidy at the rate of 50 per cent of the cost of captive                  generator set, subject to maximum Rs 15.00 lakh.

2   Tourism Industry

     (a)   Investment incentive at the rate of 25 per cent subject to maximum limit of Rs 25 lakh irrespective of  their location.

     (b)  For amusement parks, the rate of entertainment duty would be 75 per cent instead of the present rate of 125 per cent.

3   Export Oriented Units

     Investment incentive at the rate of 30 per cent of fixed capital    investment subject to maximum of Rs 50 lakhs, in case of export oriented units in small-scale sector.

4  Village Industries Units

      Village Industries units are provided incentive at the rate of 30 per  cent of     fixed capital investment subject to maximum of Rs 50.00   lakhs.

     The other measures taken for the promotion of industries in the district  are discussed below:

           

            Besides the above, the District Industries Centre, Mansa has been running the following schemes for the development of industries. A brief description of these schemes is given hereunder:

            Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana.- Under this scheme Scheduled Castes persons/women/handicapped between  the age group of 18-45, who have income below Rs 40,000 and education below middle standard are provided loans of Rs 2 lakhs. Under this scheme these persons are provided 15 per cent subsidy with maximum limit of Rs.7,500.

           Under this scheme, 301 persons were provided loans in the Mansa District during 1999-2000.                  

           Margin Money Scheme.-  The main aim of this scheme is to make rural people self sufficient. Under this scheme persons getting loans upto Rs 10 lakhs are provided 25 per cent subsidy and above Rs 10 lakhs are provided 10 per cent margin money which after two years converts into subsidy. During 1999-2000, 37 persons were provided loans under this scheme.

 

           NABARD/ Composite Loan Scheme.-  Under this scheme small scale industrial and agricultural units are provided loans. In the development of industries, 25 per cent share is invested by the industrialists itself. 

 

            Permanent/ Temporary Registration Scheme.-  Under this scheme 91 industrial units ( 57  on permanent basis and 34 on temporary basis) were registered during 1999-2000. An amount of Rs 1,584.84 lakhs were invested in there units which gave employment to 232 persons.

 

(1) Quality Marking Centres.- The Department of Industries, Punjab, has also set up Quality Marking Industrial Development Centres in the State for providing facilities of testing, marking and all types of services to the manufacturers. Quality control helps to secure uniformity of products. These centres facilitate constant improvement of processing in manufacturing. The uniformity in specifications also facilitates the inter-changeability in the products. Moreover, production cost can be reduced through continuous processing. There is no Quality Marking Centre functioning in the Mansa District.

 

(2) Common Facility Workshops.-  In order to industrialize the rural areas of the district, one common facility workshop was established at Bhikhi, but was closed down on 21 August 1996.

 

(3) Other Organizations for the Development of Industries.- Besides the above mentioned facilities, a number of organizations have been set up by the State Government for the promotion of industries. These are mentioned below:

                    

          (I) The Punjab Financial Corporation, Chandigarh.- It was established in 1953 under the State Financial Corporation  Act , 1951, with the object of providing medium and long term loans to the industrial concerns located in the State of Punjab. It was reconstituted under the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, on 1 April 1967.

            It generally grants term loans for creation/acquisition of fixed assets like land, building, plant and machinery, provides guarantee against deferred payments for the purchase of capital goods and offers under-writing facility on issue of stocks and shares to companies. The corporation also provides financial assistance for setting up of hotels, nursing homes/small hospitals, development of industrial estates, purchase of transport vehicles, etc.

             The corporation also grants composite loan for meeting working capital requirements to new tiny and small units and working capital to small units with project cost upto Rs 100 lakhs under Single Window Scheme. The corporation also associates itself with Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC), Commercial banks and other financial institutions for financing industrial projects costing upto Rs 10 crores.

             The Corporation provides loans under the Punjab Financial Corporation Act, 1951. The amount of loans is Rs 150 lakhs for public limited companies/private limited companies/cooperative societies and Rs 90 lakhs for partnership/sole proprietorship/others and the corporation in participation with the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Commercial banks and all India financial institutions, finances projects costing upto Rs 10 crores. The rate of interest varies from 13.50 per cent to 18.50 per cent per annum depending on the size and location of the unit.

            The corporation also finances under various schemes viz. Special Scheme for Unemployed Persons to set up household industry; Artisan, Village and Cottage Industry Scheme (AVCI); Single Window Scheme for financing of fixed assets and working capital; Mahila Udhyam Nidhi Scheme; Transport Industry; Special Scheme for Assistance to ex-servicemen; National Equity Fund Scheme; Scheme of Assistance for Marketing Entrepreneurs; Equipment Refinance Scheme; Scheme for loans to physically Handicapped Enterpreneurs; Scheme for Assistance to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Entrepreneurs; Scheme for Technology Development and Modernization, Scheme for Acquisition of ISO 9000 Series ( Certification by SSI Units ); Central Loan Scheme and Quick Finance Scheme.  

              The amount of loan sanctioned and disbursed by the corporation to various industrial units in the Mansa District during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:

                                                                                                        ( Rs in lakhs)

Year

Amount Sanctioned

Amount Distributed

1992-93

  33

  6

1993-94

 -

  2

1994-95

 -

  -

1995-96

 -

  -

1996-97

  84

  2

1997-98

  63

  -

1998-99

110

106

1999-2000

  48

  24

                                   (Source: Assistant General Manager, Punjab Financial Corporation, Chandigarh)

(II) The  Punjab  Small  Industries  and Export   Corporation Ltd.,

Chandigarh.-The Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Ltd. came  into being in 1982 after the merger of The Punjab State Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (established in 1963) with the Punjab Export Corporation Ltd. (established in 1962).

               The Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation is a State Government undertaking acting as a nodal agency for promoting industries in Punjab through the development of industrial infrastructure namely industrial focal points in various important cities and towns. Main emphasis is laid down on the development of focal points for small-scale sector, which further helps in increasing employment and balanced growth.

               

(III)The Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Limited, Chandigarh.- The corporation was incorporated in 1966, as an undertaking of the State Government, to act as a catalyst for the development of large and medium scale industries in the state of Punjab. Since then, PSIDC has been acting as the prime mover in the State for promotion of industrial ventures and thus, playing the role of an ‘institutional entrepreneur’. The main activities performed by the corporation are: to identify and investigate projects and obtain letters of intent/registrations from the Government wherever required; undertake project feasibility studies for various identified projects; provide financial support, both equity and term loan assistance, as and when required; play an important role as an effective facilitator for promoting ventures; and act as an agent of the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), Small Industries Development Bank of  India (SIDBI) and State Government, for providing assistance and incentives to industry under various schemes.

                   In 1976 the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation has been designated as a Second State Level Financial Institution by the Industrial Development Bank of India under its Refinance Scheme. PSIDC extends financial assistance under the aegis of IDBI and provides term loan upto Rs 25 million to new industrial projects with capital cost of Rs 100 million. Under Equipment Refinance Scheme, industrial companies with good track record and sound financial position are provided term loans upto Rs 50 million for purchase of equipment  for expansion, diversification/modernization activities.

 

( c ) Industrial Training Institutes

 

               Industrial training plays a vital role in ensuring a speedy flow of technicians to the ever-growing industrial activities. The Director of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab is providing training in various engineering and non-engineering trades to meet the requirements of the skilled manpower for the industries. The Directorate is charged with the responsibility of imparting industrial, technical and vocational training to boys and girls through its various polytechnics and industrial training institutes.

             In addition to this, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar also provides technical education through various degree colleges. Besides, special training centres have been started to train the children belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in various engineering and non-engineering trades. Passed out trainees are assisted in getting employment in public and private sectors

             During 1999-2000, two Government Industrial Training                 Institutes, viz., Industrial Training Institute, Budhlada and Industrial      Training Institute (SC), Mansa were functioning in the district. These impart training in different trades.

             The detailed particulars regarding the government training institutes in the district are given below:

Serial No.

Name and

location of

institute

Year of

establishment

 

Duration

Name of trade/course

Number of

seats

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

Industrial Training

Institute, Budhlada

March 1963

2 years

 

Fitter

32

 

 

 

2 years

Turner

12

 

 

 

2 years

Machinist

24

 

 

 

2 years

Motor

Mechanic

32

 

 

 

2 years

Electrician

16

 

 

 

2 years

Wireman

16

 

 

 

2 years

Draftsman (Civil)

15

 

 

 

2 years

Radio/T.V.Mechanic

27

 

 

 

2 year

Refrigeration and Air

Conditioning

Mechanic

16

 

 

 

2 years

Farm Mechanic

15

 

 

 

1 year

Tractor  Mechanic

10

 

 

 

1 year

Welder, Gas

and Electric

12

 

 

 

 

1 year

Stenography (English)

22

 

 

 

1 year

Stenography (Punjabi)

16

 

 

 

1 Year

 

Cutting and Tailoring

8

2

Industrial

Training Institute

(SC), Mansa

1962

2 years

Radio and T.V. Mechanic

8

 

 

 

1 year

Stenography (Punjabi)

16

 

 

 

1 year

Footwear

-

 

 

 

1 year

Cutting and Tailoring

-

 

 

 

1 year

Knitting with Hand

 Machine

-

 

 

 

1 year

Computer Science

-

                  (Source: Director, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab)

(d) Industrial Estates and Industrial Areas/Focal Points

 

                The scheme for the establishment of industrial estate was launched in the State with an object of dispersing industries to economically backward area and creating conditions for planned economic growth. The State Government gives assistance for establishing industrial estates, industrial areas and focal points. The industrial estates are used as a mechanism to stimulate the growth and efficiency of small industries in the district. No industrial estate exists in the district.

 

                  Industrial Focal Points.-  In Mansa District 52 acres of land has been acquired on Mansa-Barnala road  the development of industrial focal point.

 

                 Rural Industrial Focal Points.- These have been set up under the Rural Industrial Focal Point Scheme. Under this scheme a tract of land measuring 10-20 acres is developed into focal points and plots of suitable sizes are allotted to the desirous entrepreneurs. The rural industrial focal points and area falling within a radius of ½ km from the periphery of focal points have been approved for industrial area. All the industrial units functioning in the focal points are provided incentives such as investment incentive (capital subsidy) 30 per cent of fixed capital investment subject to maximum Rs 50 lakhs; sales tax exemption/deferment from sales tax to those units registered as a dealer under Punjab General/ Central Sales Tax Act for 120 months subject to maximum of 300 per cent of fixed capital investment; interest subsidy at the rate of 5 per cent of the total interest on term loan (by financial institutions / scheduled banks) to small-scale units; exemption from payment of electricity duty for a period of 5 years from the date of release of power connection on the electricity consumption, etc. For the enhancement of business opportunities, agro based industries such as poultry, hatchery, floriculture, fisheries, dairy farming and bee keeping have been granted the status of industry.

                    For the development of industrial sector 19 rural industrial focal points at various places in the Mansa District have been functioning at Hero Kalan, Kotli Kalan, Dharampura, Karandi, Bhalaike, Khiala Kalan, Bahniwal, Ubbah, Bhame Kalan, Satta Maluke, Bareh, Bachhuana, Gobindpura, Phaphre Bhaike, Joga, Biroke Kalan, Bajewala, Man Bibrian and Jatana Kalan. The number of industrial units developed in these rural industrial focal points was 6. The amount invested in these units was Rs 1.73 lakhs which gave employment to 60 persons. 

 

 

 

 

                                             (e) Sources of Power

 

             Power is the most important requirement for industrial development. Main sources of power are: electricity, wood-fuel, oil, alcohol, wind and water. Wood-fuel is too scarce to serve any useful purpose for industries. The position regarding coal and oil is also far from satisfactory. The regions in which coal is concentrated are too far off and its transportation entails heavy costs. The oil production in the country being too small can hardly meet the requirements. Thus, the ample supply of electricity has become main source of power in the district. Thermal plants and power houses located at various places in the state are the main suppliers  of power. Besides above mentioned sources of power, solar energy and biogas have also become a significant source of power. District Rural Development Agency and Punjab Energy Development Agency are doing a good work in this field.   

         

                 The supply of hydroelectric power in the district is satisfactory. The district is served by two Operation Divisions viz. Mansa and Budhlada, which are under the administrative control of Superintending Engineer, Operation Circle, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), Bathinda. The Executive Engineer Protection and Maintenance Division (PSEB), Bathinda also functions under the control of Superintending Engineer, PSEB, Bathinda. The main functions of this division are the maintenance of substations. The details regarding the subdivisions and grid substations functioning in the district is given hereunder:

 

Division

Subdivision

Grid Subdivision

Mansa

Subdivision, Mansa, (Urban)

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Mansa

-do-

Subdivision, Mansa,

(Semi-urban)

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Raipur

220 K.V Grid Substation, Kanchian

-do-

Subdivision, Sardulgarh

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Sardulgarh

33 K.V.Grid Substation, Sangha

-do-

Subdivision, Jhunir

66 K.V.Grid Subtation,  Jhunir

-do-

Subdivision, Joga

66 K.V.Grid, Substation, Joga

Budhlada

Subdivision, Budhlada

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Budhlada

-do-

Subdivision, Bhikhi

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Bhikhi

-do-

Subdivision, Bareta

66 K.V Grid Substation, Bareta

-do-

Subdivision, Boha

66 K.V.Grid Substation, Boha

               (Source: Executive Engineer, Operation Division, Mansa and Budhlada)

 

          The consumption of electricity in the district during the years 1992-93

to 1999-2000 is given hereunder:

(Million K.W.H)

Year

Domestic

Commercial

Industrial

Agricultural

Others

Total

Percentage of  consumption in Punjab

1992-93

32.8

4.4

35.7

49.9

0.2

123.0

0.88

1993-94

37.3

5.3

35.1

53.7

0.3

131.7

0.99

1994-95

46.8

6.5

32.0

53.7

0.4

139.4

0.88

1995-96

54.6

7.4

31.2

50.3

0.6

144.1

0.91

1996-97

57.9

8.7

31.6

50.3

0.6

149.1

0.90

1997-98

66.10

8.3

26.80

70.4

0.8

172.4

1.00

1998-99

73.79

9.07

27.20

87.95

0.70

198.71

1.00

1999-2000

75.12

9.90

33.50

95.55

0.90

214.97

1.03

        ( Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 to 2000)  

                      

           Besides electricity, some more areas have been chosen for tapping additional renewable energy viz. Solar energy for cooking and heating purposes, biogas for home and agriculture, briquetting for replacing coal, wind mills (wind power) and photovoltaic cells (solar energy). In order to supplement the power generation the State Government has formed Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) in September 1991 as a nodal agency for promotion and development of non-conventional and renewable energy programmes/projects in the State. Main objectives of the PEDA include promotion of non-conventional energy sources/programmes in the State; promotion and development of projects based on non-conventional energy; implementation of rural non-conventional energy programmes in accordance with ministry of non-conventional energy sources, Government of India guidelines and to set in place the policies/ guidelines for facilitating private sector participation in non-conventional energy based projects.

           In order to fulfil the above said objectives the main activities of the PEDA includes; mini hydel power generation; solar energy based power generation projects; biomass/agro waste based power generation projects; power generation from urban/industrial waste; promotion and development of co-institutional/night soil biogas plants; national project on biogas development programme; solar thermal extension programme; solar photo- voltaic (SPU) water pumping systems; solar photovoltaic street lights/lanterns; solar cooker implementation programme; biomass gasification programme and national programme on improved chulha.

            Besides, the PEDA also installs/sells different renewable energy devices.  The renewable  energy  devices  installed/sold  by  PEDA  in Mansa

 

District upto 31 March 2000 are given below:

 

Serial                Item                                             Number  of renewable

 No                                                                      Energy devices sold/Installed

 


     1               Solar Photovoltaic Lanterns                                            52

     2               Solar Photovoltaic Home                                                17

                      Lighting Systems

     3               Solar Photovoltaic Street Lights                           -

     4               Family Biogas Plant                                                      194

     5               Solar Cookers                                                                10

     6               Night Soil based Biogas Plants                                          1

     7               Smokeless Chulhas                                                     748

                ( Source: Managing Director, Punjab Energy Development Agency, Punjab, Chandigarh)

 

(f) Growth and Development of Industries

 

            Due to rise in the ground water level the trend of the district is changing towards paddy cultivation and due to this the number of rice shellers has increased in the district. Although under the Punjab Government’s Industrial Policy 1996 the district has been categorised as “A” Grade Growth Area, under which 30 per cent capital subsidy is provided yet the district has not made much industrial progress.

 

        (g) Industries and Manufactures of the District

 

            The industries in the district may be classified under three broad heads. viz. large and medium scale, small-scale and cottage and village industries. A brief description of some of the important industries of the district is given below:

 

         (i)  Large and Medium Scale Industries

 

            There was no industrial unit in large and medium-scale sector in the Mansa District during 1999-2000.

 

                  (ii)  Small-Scale Industries

            Small-scale industries has acquired a prominent place in the development activities of the state. These industries help in improving the economic condition of the people by providing them employment and provide sound foundations for a more balanced development of the state. This sector has been gaining constant attention of the state government under a number of industrial  developmental  schemes. Under the Industrial Policy 1996 Mansa has been categorized as “A Category” industrial sector, under which industrial units under non-negative list are provided 30 per cent subsidy. Besides special incentives, Mansa yet is industrially a backward district. There were 2,753 small-scale units functioning in the district as on 31 March 2000. Out of these units, a large number of units were functioning as servicing and repairs (421), metal  products (262), wood products (208), leather products (204) and food products (190) in the district.

             The details regarding the various small-scale industries existing in the district are given below:

 

             Food Products.- There were 190 units engaged in the production of food products during 1999-2000 in the district . Out of these units, a large number of units were flour mills (atta chakkies) (90), edible oil units (47) and rice shellers (28), etc. These units produced goods such as; ghee, ice-cream, gram dal, bread, biscuits, cattle-feed, soya nuggets, etc. These units gave employment to 1,307 persons and produced goods worth Rs 9,763.10 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 908.28 lakhs.

 

            Cotton Textile.- There were 18 units engaged in the production of cotton textiles in the district. These units produced goods like cotton ginning and waste cotton yarn. These units gave employment to 447 persons and produced goods worth Rs 4,715 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 323.98 lakhs.

 

            Hosiery and Garments.- There were 23 units engaged in the manufacture of various kinds of hosiery products and  garments. These units produced goods such as thread ball, readymade garments, etc. These units gave employment to 63 persons and produced goods worth Rs 60.35 lakhs. The fixed investment in these units was Rs 21.35 lakhs.

 

            Wood Products.- There were 208 units engaged in this industry during the year 1999-2000. These units produced goods such as sawing, wooden furniture, doors, windows, boxes, pawas, etc. These units gave employment to 642 persons and produced goods worth Rs 812.94 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 297.80 lakhs.

 

            Paper and Printing.- There were 22 units engaged in the production of printing and stationery, paper bags and card-board boxes, etc. These units gave employment to 81 persons and produced goods worth Rs 103.75 lakhs. The fixed investment involved in these units was Rs 43.04 lakhs.

 

            Leather Products.- There were 204 units engaged in the production of leather and leather goods in the district. These units produced goods such as leather shoes,  attaché cases, leather bags,  etc. These units gave employment to 296 persons and produced goods worth Rs 141.50 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was 32.21 lakhs.

            Rubber and Plastic Industry.- There were 36 units engaged in the production of rubber and plastic goods such as tyre retreading , PVC footwear, tread rubber, polythene bags, plastic cases, plastic bobbins, monafilament niwar, candles, grease, etc. These units gave employment to 149 persons and produced goods worth Rs 418.45 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 99.33 lakhs.

 

            Chemical Products.- There were 32 units engaged in the production of chemicals. These units produced goods such as earthenware colour dyes, medicines/drugs ayurvedic medicines, washing soaps, etc. These units gave employment to 226 persons and produced goods worth Rs 687.20 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 79.68 lakhs.

 

            Non Metallic Industries.- There were 28 units engaged in the production of non metal goods such as earthen wares , bricks and tiles, lime, marble slabs,  cement pipes, cement jallies, etc. These units gave employment to 372 persons and produced goods worth Rs 852.40 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 109.47 lakhs.

 

            Basic Metal Industries.- There were 7 units engaged in the production of basic metal goods. These units produced goods like C.I. casting, aluminium utensils, lead ingots, etc. These units gave employment to 45 persons and produced goods worth Rs 202.10 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 28.56 lakhs.

 

            Metal Products.- There were 262 units engaged in the production of metal products in the district. These units produced goods such as trunks/  petties, buckets, steel doors, steels furniture, bolts and nuts, etc. These units gave employment to 803 persons and produced goods worth Rs 1,678 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 303.59 lakhs.

 

            Machinery and Parts.- There were 38 units engaged in the production of machinery and parts in the district . These units produced goods such as, tractor- trolley parts, diesel engine, piston pin, air cooler, tubewell boring, auto excel, etc. These units gave employment to 150 persons and produced goods worth Rs 281.50 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs  86.37 lakhs.

 

            Electrical Machinery and Apparatus.- There were 26 units engaged in the production of electrical machinery and  apparatuses such as electric generators, transformers, motors, PVC wires, battery charging fans, bulbs, voltage stabilizers, etc.

 

            Transport Equipment and Parts.- There were 38 units engaged in the manufacture of transport equipment and parts such as engine parts, water pumps, truck parts, tractor parts,etc. These units gave employment to 116 persons and produced goods worth Rs 147.70 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 53.50 lakhs.

 

            Miscellaneous Industries.- There were 7 units engaged in the manufacture of other articles such as, jewellery, silver, sports goods, painting, artistic work,etc. These units gave employment to 44 persons and produced goods worth Rs 229.90 lakhs. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 71.66 lakhs.

 

            Servicing and Repairs.- There were 421 units engaged in repairing and servicing in the district. The fixed investment of these units was Rs 504.78 lakhs.  These units gave employment to 813 persons and produced goods worth Rs 355.30 lakhs.

 

            (iii) Cottage and Village Industries

 

            Cottage and village industries are of considerable importance in improving the economic condition of the rural population of the district. For the setting up of cottage and village industries, Punjab Khadi and Gram Udyog Board, Punjab provides loans to the rural people under the Punjab Khadi and Gram Udyog Board Act, 1956. The loans are provided to the projects costing upto Rs 25.00 lakhs and the rate of subsidy varies between 25 per cent to 30 per cent for different categories. These industries serve dual purpose of providing employment in the rural areas and bettering the economic lot of the inhabitants of the villages. Important cottage and village industries functioning in the district are described below:

 

(1) Leather.- In 1999-2000, 769 units were engaged in production of leather goods which produced goods worth Rs 278.65 lakhs  and gave employment to 1,100 persons (788 full time and 312 part-time).

 

(2) Carpentry and Blacksmithy.- During 1999-2000, 293 units were engaged in this industry which produced goods worth Rs 359.45 lakhs and provided employment to 886 persons(508 full time and 378 part-time).

 

            (3) Fibre.- During 1999-2000, 147 units were engaged in this industry. These units produced goods worth Rs 36.25 lakhs and provided employment to 294 persons (147 full time and 147 part-time). The main item of production of this industry is ropes.

 

(4) Bamboo and Cane.- During 1999-2000, 86 units were engaged in the production of bamboo and cane industry in the district  which  provided employment to 172 persons(86 full time and 86 part-time). These units produced goods worth Rs 24.40 lakhs. The main items of production of this industry are cane furniture and baskets.

 

(5) Processing of Cereals and Pulses .- The main products of these units are: papad, cereals and pulses. During 1999-2000, 87 units in the district were engaged in this industry, which provided employment to 199 persons (104 full time and 95 part-time). These units produced goods worth Rs 63.95 lakhs.

            (6) Pottery.- During 1999-2000,54 units in the district  were engaged in this industry which provided employment to 839 persons (229 full time and 610 part-time). These units produced goods worth Rs 111.80 lakhs. The main products of these units are brick and earthen pots.

(7) Service.- During 1999-2000, 32 units were engaged in this industry which gave employment to 53 persons (41 full time and 12 part-time).

            (8) Textile.- During 1999-2000, 21 units were engaged in this  industry which  gave employment to 23 persons (21 full time  and 2 part-time).

 

           (iv)Jail Industries

 

            There is no jail industry in the Mansa District.

.

(h) Role of Industrial Cooperatives

 

             Industrial societies in the cooperative field are progressing steadily and hav e taken all industrial activities in their fold. These societies are playing significant role in providing gainful employment to artisans in the state. The main activities taken up by industrial cooperative societies are manufacturing of agricultural implements, cycle parts, sewing machine parts, electronic goods, shoes, shawls, blankets, cotton cloth, shirting, durries, carpets and leather goods. The members of these societies belong to weaker sections of the society mainly the weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, tanners, shoe makers, etc. They are mostly illiterate and require subsistence employment. The State Government has attached great importance to the economic uplift of the artisans..

              The weaver’s societies have two-tier structure in Punjab State. The Punjab State Cooperative Handloom Weavers Apex Cooperatives Society Limited (WEAVCO) functions at the State level and Primary Handloom  Societies  are functioning at the base level.

              WEAVCO provides facilities like supply of raw material and  marketing of finished goods. It also provides technical know-how to the primary weaver’s societies. Broadly, the activities taken up by this institution include marketing infrastructure for sale of handloom products produced by the primary handloom societies; providing technical  guidance and new designs to the primary handloom societies; providing raw material on prevailing market rates and providing processing facilities to the primary handloom societies. WEAVCO has also established five yarn banks through which it is supplying excise free yarn to primary cooperative weavers  societies of the state  and products furnished by these societies from the yarn are purchased/sold by the WEAVCO showrooms. It also supplies blankets to defence as well as other para military forces through a nodal agency approved by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. For providing textile designs it has installed a small computer in its head office.

           The Punjab State Industrial Cooperative Federation is the apex society of non-weavers cooperative primary industrial societies. Its main objectives are to encourage development of village small-scale cooperative cottage industries.

           The particulars regarding the industrial cooperative societies  falling in the Mansa District during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:-

 

Year

Number  of

Membership

Production

Sale

Subsidy

 

Societies

 

(Rs in lakhs)

(Rs in lakhs)

(Rs in lakhs)

1992-93

93

1,225

12.42

11.51

0.25

1993-94

81

1,041

 6.82

 5.77

2.26

1994-95

83

1,023

 4.20

 3.14

1.96

1995-96

83

1,026

 9.38

 7.62

-

1996-97

85

1,026

13.87

11.01

-

1997-98

85

1,051

11.30

10.07

-

1998-99

85

1,051

  9.78

  9.78

-

1999-2000

79

..

21.74

21.74

-

                      (Source : Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies ,Mansa )

 

(i) Labour and  Employers’ Organisations

 

            Labour Organisations.- As  most of the area falling in the Mansa District was part and parcel of  erstwhile  princely state of Patiala ,the life of the workers in this area was worse than that of their counterparts in the former British territory. The exploitation of the worker had become an accepted norm in the society and any one talking of reform in wages or working conditions for the workers was viewed with suspicion. The exploitation of the workers led to dissatisfaction, which occasionally found expression in strikes. Labour organizations have come into existence to protect the labourers against exploitation by the owners of the means of production. These organizations have established not only health conventions, but as they grew in strength have put pressure upon the government to incorporate these conventions in the laws of the country through parliamentary legislation. Prior to 1919, the labour legislation of India was rudimentary and related only to factories, mines and migration. The first Act, which gave recognisation to the right of the labourers to combine themselves into a union to secure redress of their grievances was the Trade Union Act, 1926. This Act recognized the All India Trade Union Congress which had been holding annual sessions since 1920 and had a number of unions affiliated to it. Inspite of the stupendous difficulties in the way of trade union movement because of the peculiar conditions prevailing in India such as the floating character of the labour population, its  heterogeneity, indiscipline,  poverty, illiteracy, etc; the movement had made considerable headway. The representation given to labour, first by the  Government of India Act, 1935 and  later by the constitution through  special constituencies comprising registered trade unions has been responsible for not only increase  in the number of unions but has also promoted the efficiency  of their working. The compulsory reorganizations by the employers of the trade unions (made possible by the Indian Trade Union Act, 1947) have given impetus to the movement by imparting more strength and vitality to the unions. Besides, the trade union movement provides not only security of employment to the workers but also enables them to secure advancement in their wages. The particulars of trade unions registered under the Trade Union Act, 1926 functioning in the district are given below:

 

Serial No

Name of Trade Union

Year/date of Registration

1

Cotton Factory Mazdoor Union, Mansa

19 July 1982

2

Spinning Mills Karamchari Sangh, Mansa

3 September 1990

3

Dr Ambedkar Spinning Mills Workers’ Union, Mansa

22 July 1994

                      (Source : Labour Commissioner, Punjab, Chandigarh)

 

              Manufacturers Associations.-  These associations play an important role in the development and growth of the industries and look after the interests of their respective members. There was no manufacturers association functioning in the district as on 31 March 2000.

 

(j) Welfare of Industrial Labour

 

              Welfare comprises all matters affecting the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the workmen and includes provisions for education, recreation, thrift schemes, convalescent homes, etc. It falls into two categories viz. activities inside the factory or intra-mural welfare work and activities outside the factory or extra-mural welfare work. The various welfare measures include education, medical aid, maternity benefits, recreation, housing, cooperative societies, grain and clothe shops, provision of canteens, etc.

                      The welfare of the industrial labour is mainly of two types, viz, statutory and voluntary. In the first type fall those concessions, which are to be provided under law, and secondly which are provided voluntarily by the management on humanitarian grounds or other allied and varied reasons. The Constitution itself provides that the State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial and otherwise, a living wage, condition of work ensuring decent standards of living and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities.

 

 

 

 

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