CHAPTER IX
ECONOMIC TRENDS
Economic trends are regarded as a measuring rod of economic development.
The progressive and dynamic trends bring about fundamental and significant
changes in the whole structure of the economy of a region. In short, economic
trends are helpful in ascertaining the overall economic progress and growth of
a region. Economic progress of a region depends upon a number of factors such
as development of natural resources, discovery of new resources, capital
formation, population growth, innovations and technological changes, etc.
Besides all these factors, population growth also plays an important role in
economic development of an area because the human beings are not only
responsible for production but are also the final consumers of the produced
goods. Whereas labour force makes a positive contribution in the development of
the region at the same time a rapid population growth slows down the pace of
development.
(a) Livelihood
Pattern, General Level of Prices and Wages and Standard of Living
Livelihood Pattern.- The economy of the district is primarily
agricultural. The majority of the people are dependent on agriculture or
subsidiary profession of animal husbandry for their livelihood in the rural
areas of the district. According to 1991 Census 85.30 per cent population of
the district lived in rural areas. Mansa ranks second in the State having
largest chunk of rural population. The Census figures show that a large number
of population of the district depends largely upon agriculture for their
livelihood.
The general population on the basis of work has been divided into three broad categories viz. main workers, marginal workers and non-workers. According to 1991 Census, the total population of the district was 5,80,397 out of which 1,84,963 persons were main workers and 13,790 persons were marginal workers. The main workers were 31.86 per cent of the total population. Out of the total main workers of the district, 47.59 per cent were cultivators, 27.13 per cent were agricultural workers, 7.67 per cent were engaged in trade and commerce, 7.60 per cent in other services, 5.57 per cent were engaged in manufacturing, processing and repairs in household industry and other than household industry, 1.93 per cent in transport, storage and communications 1.64 per cent in construction, 0.87 per cent in livestock, forestry, fishing, hunting and plantations, orchards and allied activities and negligible in mining and quarrying.
On the basis of economic activity pursued, the main workers are classified into nine industrial categories given in the following table:-
168
To
make further improvement in the living standard of the rural people the
Government has introduced Unat Gram Scheme and Jawahar Samridhi Yojana. These
schemes have envisaged development of the villages with regard to the pavement
of streets, construction of phirnis, etc. Upto the year
1999-2000, all the villages have been covered under these schemes.
In
order to create better living conditions in the urban as well as rural areas,
various housing schemes such as construction of houses for the landless
agricultural workers in the rural areas, construction of houses for government
employees, low income group housing schemes, etc. are being implemented by the
Government.
Implementation
of various housing schemes in the district has improved the texture of the
district. The dwellings in the urban areas are pukka. However, there are still
kacha dwellings of the economically weaker sections of society in the rural
areas. In certain cases houses are provided with a baithak (drawing
room) for guests, etc. Cattles are generally kept by the villagers in a
separate portion or haveli built for the purpose of keeping cattle.
Straw fodder is usually kept in kups (a type of silo) in the fields.
According
to the 1991 Census, the total number of occupied residential houses in the
district was 94,224. The average number of persons per household was 6.
Prices and
Wages
The comparative study of wages and prices reflect the economic condition
of the people belonging to a particular region. The level of prices has a
bearing effect both on the real income and standard of living of the people
because it is not the money income but purchases therefrom that matter.
Prices.- Prices are determined by the
forces of demand and supply . The impact of prices is felt on the entire
economy of a region and is reflected on the levels of living of the people of
that region. A steep price rise inhibits growth, distorts all economic
calculations, seriously effects the poor and transfers the income from the poor
to the rich. It leads to inequality in income and wealth. As a result of this
savings and investments get a serious set back and capital formation suffers.
The
trend in the retail prices of the selected commodities in the Mansa District
during 1993 to 2000 is given in the following table:-
|
Serial No. |
Commodities |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
1 |
Wheat |
3.47 |
3.68 |
4.00 |
5.06 |
5.43 |
5.74 |
6.15 |
6.40 |
|
2 |
Rice |
7.44 |
7.63 |
7.25 |
9.28 |
9.46 |
9.54 |
9.62 |
9.90 |
|
3 |
Mung |
14.11 |
14.69 |
18.08 |
22.75 |
23.21 |
25.08 |
27.00 |
25.60 |
|
4 |
Mash |
12.79 |
13.97 |
25.33 |
23.54 |
23.94 |
23.79 |
25.00 |
26.40 |
|
5 |
Gram Gram |
13.06 |
15.92 |
14.46 |
13.39 |
14.71 |
16.63 |
16.50 |
. . |
|
6 |
Massar |
12.71 |
13.68 |
17.00 |
24.00 |
22.63 |
23.33 |
26.50 |
27.80 |
|
7 |
Potatoes |
3.93 |
3.96 |
4.03 |
5.10 |
4.13 |
7.44 |
4.29 |
3.00 |
|
8 |
Onion |
6.15 |
6.50 |
5.45 |
5.50 |
6.25 |
17.96 |
7.00 |
5.80 |
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1993 to 2000)
Wages.- Wages are the remuneration paid
to a worker in lieu of the work done by him. In the early days especially in
the agricultural sector wages were determined by the customs and traditions.
The wages to the agricultural labourers and artisans were generally paid in
cash, sometimes for some special work paid in kind. But with the passage of
time, the payment of wages in cash has become more and more prevalent
especially in the case of industrial and other non-agricultural labourers.
Wages has shown a rising trend since
The rates of wages fixed for Class IV
Government employees working in different offices in the Mansa District, as on
Standard of Living.- On account of many
industrial units in the district some change in the livelihood pattern is reflected.
Both prices and wages on the whole have been rising during the recent years. As
usual, the rate at which prices have gone up has over run the rate at which
wages have increased. In other words, the relative positions of prices and
wages have not remained constant and there has been a greater rise in prices
than in wages. The effect of these fluctuations is obvious. The value of money
has been constantly on the decline, adversely affecting the cost of living of
the people and in turn their standard of living.
The general standard of living of the middle class of the society is very much higher. Even the common man is maintaining a standard of dress and house, because he finds many opportunities to get employment. Another method to judge the standard of living of the people is to survey the income and expenditure of various people engaged in different occupations. The size and composition of the family, its tastes and preferences also determine the standard of living.
The Economic and Statistical
Organisation,
Survey regarding the family budgets of 11
bullock-operated cultivators in the State does not contain any family from the Mansa District.
The survey of bullock-operated cultivators revealed that on an average a peasant proprietor’s family having bullock-operated holdings in Punjab spent 40 per cent of its income on food, 18 per cent on housing, 9 per cent on clothing, 6 per cent on fuel, 5 per cent on miscellaneous, 4 per cent each on medicine, social, amusement and luxuries, 3 per cent each on travelling and lighting and 2 per cent each on education and religion.
During 1995-96, the families of three villages (tractor-operated) viz. Burj Rathi (Tahsil Mansa), Dariapur (Tahsil Budhlada) and Mian (Tahsil Sardulgarh) in the Mansa District were selected for the survey.
The findings of the tractor-operated cultivators survey pertaining to
income and expenditure are given below:
Name of the Net income from all sources Net expenditure Surplus/Deficit
family/ village (Rs) (Rs) (Rs)
Burj
Rathi 2,02,693
93,273 +
1,09,420
Dariapur 93,419 68,866 + 24,553
Mian 3,30,962 1,21,257 + 2,09,705
The above figures show that the families of all the three villages had surplus budget. The goods consumed by the families in these villages were as under:
|
Name of the family/ village |
Total expenditure (Rs)
|
Supplied by the farm
(Rs) |
Percentage |
Purchased from outside (Rs) |
Percentage |
|
Burj Rathi |
93,273 |
35,405 |
37.96 |
57,869 |
62.04 |
|
Dariapur |
68,866 |
24,973 |
36.26 |
43,893 |
63.74 |
|
Mian |
1, 21,257 |
49,177 |
40.56 |
72,080 |
59.44 |
The survey also revealed that on an average, a peasant proprietors
(tractor-operated)
family in
* Information supplied by
Economic and Statistical Organisation,
18 per cent on housing, 8 per cent on clothing, 5 per cent on social ceremonies, 4 per cent each on fuel, travelling and miscellaneous items, 3 per cent each on education, lighting, medicine and amusement and luxuries and 2 per cent on religion.
During 1995-96, families of three villages (semi-mechanised) viz, Ralla Kotha (Tahsil Mansa), Dariapur (Tahsil Budhlada) and Dulowal (Tahsil Sardulgarh) in the Mansa District were selected for the survey.
The findings of the semi-mechanised cultivators’ survey pertaining to income and expenditure are given below:
|
Name of the family/village |
Net income from all
sources (Rs) |
Net expenditure (Rs) |
Surplus/Deficit (Rs) |
|
Ralla Kotha |
1,70,489 |
63,404 |
+1,07,085 |
|
Dariapur |
26,960 |
48,232 |
- 21,272 |
|
Dulowal |
1,37,832 |
77,581 |
+60,251 |
The above figures show that the families of two villages viz, Ralla Kotha and Dulowal had surplus budget, whereas the family of village Dariapur had deficit budget .
The goods consumed by the families in these villages were as under:
|
Name of the family/ village |
Total expenditure(Rs) |
Supplied by the farm (Rs) |
Percen-tage |
Purchased from outside (Rs) |
Percen-tage |
|
Ralla Kotha |
63,404 |
22,479 |
35.45 |
49,925 |
64.55 |
|
Dariapur |
48,232 |
15,608 |
32.36 |
32,624 |
67.64 |
|
Dulowal |
77,581 |
25,252 |
32.55 |
52,329 |
67.45 |
The
survey also revealed that on an average a peasant proprietor’s (semi- mechanised) family in Punjab spent 45
per cent its income on food, 13 per cent on housing, 8 per cent on clothing, 7
per cent on fuel, 5 per cent on social ceremonies, 4 per cent on miscellaneous
items and 3 per cent each on travelling, lighting, medicine, education,
religion and amusement and luxuries.
The
per capita income of a particular district is also an indicator of the standard
of living of the people. During 1997-98, the per capita income of the Mansa
District at the then current prices was Rs 17,151 as compared to Rs 18,862 for
the
(b) Employment Situation
Employment Exchange.- Established as a
Town Employment Exchange on
The
main functions of an employment exchange are: to register applicants and to
provide employment assistance; to impart vocational guidance to the youth and
adults to choose a better career; to elicit employment market information; to
assess the employment trends, impact of Government plans on the employment
situations and to collect employment statistics for the Planning Commission of
India.
The work done by the Employment Exchange, Mansa is shown in Appendix II
at page179.
Employment Market Information Scheme.- This scheme was introduced in the State in
1957-58, and is operated under the Director of Employment,
The
aim of this scheme is to watch the trends of employment in the State so as to
make available to the Government and to the Planning Commission, information on
the periodical expansion and contraction of employment in various industries
and occupations in each district and in the State as a whole. The information,
thus, collected is also utilized to assist the Government in determining the
location of certain industrial training institutes and the trades to be taught
therein. It enables the Government to assess the impact of development plans on
employment.
Under
this scheme, the employment exchange is responsible for collecting regular
information about the employment situation in the private as well as in the
public sector. All establishments in the public sector and selected
establishments in the private sector engaged in non-agricultural activities are
asked to give details regularly about the number of persons they are employing,
the vacancies that have occurred and the type of persons they find to be in
short supply. The information is collected from all establishments in the
public sector and those employing 25 or more persons in the private sector
under the provision of the Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of
Vacancies) Act, 1959, which makes it obligatory on them to submit it to the
local employment exchange. Information from smaller establishments in the
private sector is, however, collected on voluntary basis. The information,
which is processed at the district level, is finally tabulated at the State and
National level respectively to know precisely the employment potential at these
levels.
The
changes in the volume of employment both in private and public sectors in the
district as on
Vocational Guidance Scheme.- The scheme
is jointly operated by the Directorate General of Employment and Training,
Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Directorate of Employment in the
State. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Director of
Employment Exchanges is responsible for the general policies and procedure,
which are devised in collaboration with the State Governments through the
National Working Group of the Employment Services. The State Directorate of
Employment administers the service through the employment exchanges and
coordinates with the guidance service of the Education Department (Director
Public Instructions, Secondary) of the State Government. The aim of the scheme
is to provide vocational guidance and employment counseling to the school
leavers and fresh entrants to the labour market and to help them to choose
vocations in accordance with their interests, aptitude and ability.
The
District Employment Officer, Mansa is responsible for the efficient working and
general supervision of the scheme in the district. The functions of a
Vocational Guidance Unit are: to provide vocational guidance and employment
counseling to youth (boys and girls) and adults (men and women) in groups as
well as individually, assist in the placement of youth in institutions or
training centers or in entry jobs; follow up and review the progress of guided
youth and adults; review the records of applicants on the live register and to
give them such guidance as would lead to early and suitable placement; assist
other sections of the exchanges improving the quality of registrations and
submissions and also to assist in the collection and compilation of up-to-date
information on occupations, training facilities; educational sources,
employment trends and employment outlook for youth and adults, available
scholarships and sources of financial assistance. Its other functions include
maintenance of regular information for the use of applicants and visitors
seeking information; maintenance of up-to-date library on occupation and
vocational literature and educate the public by undertaking publicity measures
in vocational guidance principles with a view to encouraging community
consciousness. The guidance procedure at an employment exchange, with a
vocational guidance unit, consists of group guidance comprising invitational
talks, group discussions and invitational talk-cum-group discussions according
to the needs of the groups; individual guidance and giving information
individually.
A Vocational Guidance Unit was started in the district in 1992. Since then it has been steadily disseminating occupational information and vocational guidance to the deserving cases, especially to the young student community. Efforts are made to carry the facilities to all corners of the district through career talks in educational institutions.
The work done by the Vocational Guidance Unit, Mansa from 1992 and 1996 to 2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Number of individuals provided group guidance |
Number of persons given individual guidance |
Number of persons given individual information |
|
1992 |
923 |
- |
508 |
|
1996 |
520 |
97 |
675 |
|
1997 |
138 |
23 |
276 |
|
1998 |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999 |
301 |
- |
371 |
|
2000 |
428 |
- |
797 |
(Source: District
Employment Officer, Mansa)
(c) Planning and Rural Development
Planning
Planning is necessary to achieve a balanced growth of different sectors of the economy of a region as also in raising the standard of living of the people. It brings about socio-economic advancement of the people by formulating definite schemes, fixing up of targets of progress in various sectors of the economy and is directing efforts to achieve them within a stipulated period of time.
After
Rural Development
Setting
up of Focal Points.- Keeping in view to uplift the standard of living of
the rural people, the Punjab Government had started Focal Point Scheme in
1977-78. Under this scheme, a cluster of 5 contiguous villages in each block
had been selected to provide basic facilities to effect increase in
agricultural production and provide employment to the rural youth. This scheme
was discontinued in 1980 and it was revived in 1997-98,under the name Focal
Point Programme. The main aim of the programme is to provide basic facilities
to the rural people. These basic facilities include shopping complex,
purchasing centre, veterinary hospital, civil hospital, bank, godowns, agro
service centre, repair of agricultural implements, petrol and diesel pump, patwarkhana,
post office, gas agency, etc. In Mansa District, 17 focal points have been
developed upto
Swarn
Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY).- Launched on 1 April 1999, the
programme replaced the earlier self- employment and allied programmes such as
IRDP, TRYSEM, DWACRA, SITRA ,GKY and MWS, which are no longer in operation.
The objective of SGSY is to provide sustainable income to the rural
poor. The programme aims at establishing a large number of micro- enterprises
in the rural areas, building upon the potential of the rural poor. The main aim
of the SGSY is to bring every family to whom it assists, above the poverty line
in a period of three years. It is centrally sponsored scheme and funding is
shared by the Centre and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25.
SGSY is holistic programme covering all aspects of self- employment such as organisation of the rural poor into self help group and their capacity building, planning of activity clusters, infrastructure build up technology, credit and marketing. In establishing the micro-enterprises, the emphasis under SGSY is on the activity cluster. For these 4-5 key activities have been identified for each block based on the resources, occupational skills of the people and availability of markets.
Under this programme a uniform subsidy at the rate of 30 per cent of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 7,500 is provided. But for SCs, it is 50 per cent and Rs10, 000 respectively. For a group subsidy it is 50 per cent of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs 1.25 lakh. Loan is arranged by the District Rural Development Agency from the banks. Under this scheme 50 per cent assistance is required to be provided to the SCs, 40 per cent to women and 3 per cent to handicapped.
In Mansa District, 44 Self Help Groups were formed under the scheme, which utilised Rs 28.02 lakhs during 1999-2000. The groups undertook economic activities like dairy, ban making, handloom, bullock carts, etc.
APPENDIX I (Vide page 171)Rates of Pay Fixed for the Class IV Government Servants Working in
the Mansa District, as on |
||||
|
Serial No. |
Class of Labourers/Workers |
Rates of Pay (Rs) |
||
|
|
|
Per Day |
Part- Time |
Per Month |
|
1 |
Ser Server,
Dak Runner, Dak Munshi, Mochi, Assistant
Cook, Ferryman, Boatman, Pankha Coolie (Adult),
Chowkidar, Sweeper, Beldar, Mate,
Safai Sewak, Mali-cum-Chowkidar, Cook knowing
continental dishes, Cook knowing overseas dishes,
Khalasi, Survey Khalasi, Gang Khalasi, Hospital Cook,
Frash,Telephone Peon,Belda( Boy or Minor), Ttailor
with sewing machine, Man with mule/ horse,
Peon-Chowkidar, Machineman, Chainman, Sweeper-cum- Chowkidar,
Woman Labour, Store Coolie, Bridge Jamadar,
Cycle Repairer, Masalchi, Water Carrier-cum Assistant
Cook, Trollyman, Bulldozer Mechanic,Tractor Plumber, Fisherman with boat, Fisherman without net, iW White Washerman, Bhishti, Livestock Assisant, Ukilled bour, Labour, Typewriter Mechanic, Crane Operator, Barber, tock Stock Assistant in diary, Assistant- Milk Recorder, Auto
Fitter -cum- Plumber, Ticket Verifier, Waiter, |
70.85 |
230.43 |
1,843.50 |
|
2 |
Semi-Skilled (Worker), Bulldozer Operator, Junior Mechanic, Cook Incharge |
71.85 |
233.43 |
1,863.50 |
|
3 |
Blacksmith
I st Class |
73.85 |
238.43 |
1,913.50 |
|
|
2nd Class |
70.85 |
230.43 |
1,843.50 |
|
4 |
Tractor Plumber, Bulldozer, Helper |
73.85 |
240.43 |
1,923.50 |
|
5 |
Painter
Ist Class |
74.85 |
243.43 |
1,943.50 |
|
|
2nd Class |
70.85 |
230.43 |
1,843.50 |
|
6 |
Policeman
Ist Class |
74.85 |
243.43 |
1,943.50 |
|
|
2nd Class |
70.85 |
230.43 |
1,843.50 |
|
7 |
Clerk-cum-Typist, Senior Mechanic |
74.85 |
245.43 |
1,963.50 |
|
8 |
Foreman ITI |
75.85 |
246.43 |
1,968.50 |
|
9 |
Conductor, Patwari |
75.85 |
246.43 |
1,973.50 |
|
10 |
Skilled Worker (Upper) |
75.85 |
248.43 |
1,983.50 |
|
|
(Lower) |
75.85 |
235.43 |
1,883.50 |
|
11 |
Fitter, Turner, Welder, Pump Driver, GeneratorElectrician, Steno-typist, Donkey man (with Donkey) ,Stenographer |
77.85 |
253.43 |
2,023.50 |
|
12 |
Special Foreman |
79.85 |
259.43 |
2,068.50 |
|
13 |
Driver for Heavy Vehicle |
81.85 |
265.43 |
2,123.50 |
|
14 |
Driver for Light Vehicle |
77.85 |
253.43 |
2,023.50 |
|
15 |
Work Munshi/Work Supervisor |
95.85 |
311.43 |
2,493.50 |
|
16 |
Carpenter I
st Class |
90.85 |
315.43 |
2,523.50 |
|
|
2nd Class |
88.85 |
290.43 |
2,323.50 |
|
17 |
Mason
I st Class |
90.85 |
315.43 |
2,523.50 |
|
|
2nd Class |
88.85 |
290.43 |
2,323.50 |
|
(Source: Deputy
Commissioner, Mansa) |
||||
