APPENDIX VI
Combined Post and Telegraph Offices in the Bathinda District, as on 31 March 1989
|
1 Bathinda |
29 Ghuman Kalan |
|
2 Bathinda City |
30 Kotli Kalan |
|
3 Bareta |
31 Kttiwal Kalan |
|
4 Dharampura |
32 Ram Nagar |
|
5 Kahangarh |
33 Mansa |
|
6 Kishangarh |
34 Bajewal |
|
7 Bahadurpur |
35 Nangal Kalan |
|
8 Kulrian |
36 Nathana |
|
9 Bhagta Bhai |
37 Gobindpura |
|
10 Bhai Rupa |
38 Poohla |
|
11 Bhucho Mandi |
39 Phul |
|
12 Bhucho Kalar |
40 Sailbra |
|
13 Bhucho Khurd |
41 Goniana Mandi |
|
14 Lehra Mohabat |
42 Joga |
|
15 Tungwali |
43 Aklia |
|
16 Boha |
44 Chaoke |
|
17 Bhaini Bagha |
45 Ralla |
|
18 Khiala Kalan |
46 Jhunir |
|
19 Ubha |
47 Fatta Maluka |
|
20 Budhlada |
48 Raman |
|
21 Ahmedpur |
49 Rampura Phul |
|
22 Borewal |
50 Mandi Kalan |
|
23 Bareh |
51 Mehraj |
|
24 Bachhuana |
52 Sangat |
|
25 Phaphre Bhaike |
53 Pakka Kalan |
|
26 Bhikhi |
54 Sardulgarh |
|
27 Hamirgarh Dhaipai |
55 Sirki Bazar Bathinda |
|
28 Maur Mandi |
56 Talwandi |
(Source ; Superintendent, Post Offices, Bathinda Division, Bathinda)
MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
© |
|
|
(d) |
Although the
main sectors of livelihood of majority of the population of the district are
agriculture, industry, trade and commerce and transport, yet these do not cover
the entire field of the economic activity of the district. There are a
considerable number of people who earn their livelihood by following small
crafts and other occupations such as hair-cutting, tailoring, laundry work or
are engaged ineducation, legal services, etc. A brief description of some
important miscellaneous occupations, which have not been mentioned elsewhere in
this gazetteer, is given in this chapter. The statistical data, as have been
mentioned in the 1961 Census at the same pattern, is not available in the
ensuing 1971 and 1981 Censuses as classificational changes were brought by the
Census Department. However, latest data have been included, wherever possible.
Bathinda is primarly an agricultural district and a large number of its population, being residents of the rural areas, directly or indirectly depend upon agriculture as their source of livelihood. As per 1981 Census, out of a total population of 1294957 persons, as many as 999773 persons (82.22 per cent) were residing in the rural areas. In the same Census, it was reported that there were 462818 workers including 63887 marginal workers in the district. The working force constituted 36 per cent of the total inhabitants of the district. Out of these, 275127 persons (185461 cultivators and 89.666 agricultural labourers), i.e. 59 per cent were engaged in agricultural pursuits only. The remaining 187691 persons were engaged in other occupations, both in rural and urban areas, which comprised livestock, forestry, plantation, industries, transport, storage and communications, trade and commerce; and other service such as construction; professional activities like law, medical, education, engineering, etc. Self-employed occupations and personal and domestic services are common, besides the Central State and Local Bodies employment. A good number of people, especially form the rural areas, gifted with steadiness and good physique join the armed forces.
Public Employees’ Organisations.__ For the redressal of their grievances and giving a feedback of their problems to the administration, the employees of the various departments in the district have formed the following unions/associations :-
1 Workshop Union, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Bathinda
2 Pepsu Road Transport Corporation Driver’s Union, Bathinda
3 Octroi Employees’ Union, Municipal Committee, Bathinda
4 Municipal Sweeper’s Union, Bathinda
5 Punjab Municipal Eemployees’ Union, Budhlada
6 Punjab Electricity Employees’ Sectional Officers Association, Bathinda
7 Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant Employees’ Federation, Bathinda
8 Thermal Technical Employees’ Union, Bathinda
9 Class IV Employees’Union, P S E B, Thermal Plant, Bathinda
10 Thermal Work Charged Staff Union, Bathinda
11 Sweeper Employees’ Union, Thermal Plant, Bathinda
12 State Bank of Patiala Employees’ Natioal Union, Mansa
13 Bathinda Central Co-operative Bank Employees’ Union Bathinda
14 Bathinda Eastern Central Co-operative Bank Employees’ Union, Bathinda
15 Milk Plant Employees’ Union Bathinda
16 Western Command M E S Civilaian Drivers’ Association, Bathinda
17 National Fertilisers Employees’ Union Bathinda
18 National Fertilisers Employees’ Union, Bathinda
19 Warehouse corporation Workers’ Union, Bathinda
20 PUNSUB Employees’ Union, Bathinda
The learned professions include teaching, medical, legal, engineering services, etc. The information available in respect of their role in the district is given below :
Educational Services.__ Bathinda district still continues to be at the lowest rung in the whole State in respect of literacy. Out of 100 persons, 27.73 were literate as against 40.86 in the State according to 1981 Census. There were 952 schools of all categories in the district as on 30 September 1988 in which 6804 (3785 males and 3019 females) teachers were employed. Besides, there were 9 colleges in the district. The pay-scales of the college teachers have since been revised by the State Government on the basis of the recommendations made by the University Grants Commisson making the same quite lucrative and attractive. Similarly, the pay-scales of school teachers are also satisfactory.
Medical and Health Services.__ The medical profession has gained considerable importance during the last fifty years or so. The number of practitioners and consultants has increased considerably during this period because of increase in consciousness among the people regarding their health. There are doctors, physicians and surgeons, dentists, nurses, etc. working in various hospitals and dispensaries in the district. A number of doctors have also opened their private clinics and nursing homes.
In the year 1988, there were 552 doctors, 379 midwives, 68 nurses and 2136 dais working in the 175 allopathic medical institutions in the Bathinda District. Besides, 38 vaids, 2 hakims, 40 up-vaids, and 40 dais were working in 40(38=2) Ayurvedic/Unanimedical institutions.
Legal Services.__ Persons opting for legal profesion are mostly concentrated in urban areas of the district. The legal progession is manned by judges, barristers, advaoctes, and munshis. Being a paying profession, it attracts a good number of persons who render legal assistance to the people. Besides being a remunerative occupation, it commands a good social status too. There are 4 Bar Associations functioning at Bathinda, Mansa, Rampura Phul and Talwandi sabo subdivisional headquarters with a membership of 594 lawyers in the district.
Engineering services.__ The engineers play an important role in the social and economic development of an area. Details of the persons employed in engineering services in various government departments have been given in Chapte XIII’ Other Departments’. Besides, a good number of persons have adopted the profession of contractors and architects or consulting engineers.
(c) Personal and
Domestic Services
These services include barbers, washermen, launderers, tailors, water-carriers, weavers, cobblers, carpenters and the like which employ a considerable number of persons as detailed below :
Barbers.__ The traditional practice of having family barber in urban areas for hair-cutting or nail-cutting of the customers on fixed monthly payment has become obsolete due to the opening of hair cutting saloons/shops in the urban areas. The charges vary from Rs 5 to Rs 7 for hair-cut and Rs 2 to Rs 3 for shave in urban areas. The rates of barbering services in the rural areas are comparatively lower than in urban areas. The villagers in certain remote areas do have their family barbers. They are still being paid fixed payment either in cash or in kind that too even monthly or at the time of harvest. The earlier practice of conveying and sending messages through the parber on the occasion of marriage, death, etc. has become to a large extent, outdated because other prompt means of performing these chores have become quite popular. Moreover, the new generation does not like to stick to this profession, because on one side they like to adopt some advanced professiont raise their standard of living and on the other side there is no traditional and social bar in changing profession. The other functions which were performed by the nain (barber’s wife) and barber at the time of marriage occasion, such as cleaning and knitting the hair of bride, looking after her in the marriage ceremonies in the house of parents as well as in the parents-in-laws-hous has decreased considerably mostly due to the change in marriage system and rites and customs. In some areas of the distict, where the people are still rigid to their old traditions, they make use of the services of nain as well as barber to some extent.
The barbers in the towns have formed their unions to look after their interests. Tuesday is usually observed as holiday by them.
Washermen.__ Washermen or dhobis form an important occupational class. Earlier, their work wa to collect clothes from the houses of their customers and return them after washing and ironing. In lieu of it, they were paid some fixed amount monthly/half yearly or the payment was made in kind. But this practice has adversely been affected with the emergence of dry cleaning shops in urban areas. These shops provide quick and quality service on reasonable rates. Their charges ar higher than those of the washermen. In such areas, the people have to go to the shop personally to deposit their clothes with the drycleaner and again to clooect them. However in rural areas, the practice of collecting clothes from the houses of the customers and returning them after washing and pressing is still existent, though there payment of washing charges was made in kind, monthly or half-yearly but now, the washing and ironing charges are taken in cash on the basis of piece-rate.
Tailors.__ The tailor is an indispensable unit of the society, as he fulfils the primary needs of the public. The tailors in urban areas prepare clothes according to the tastes and fashions prevalent in towns and cities, while those in rural areas prepare ordinary types of clothes worn by the ordinary villagers. The stitching charges in urban areas are higher as compared to rural areas.
Most of the tailors have their own sewing machines ans work independently. There are also some big tailoring concerns, which get the work done on commission basis. In rural areas, the old practice of darzi (tailor) going to different houses for stitching the clothes on the occasion of marriage is diminishing.
Carpenters.__ The carpenters make and repair wooden structures like doors, windows, and other building fixtures. There are certain carpenters who make and repair sophisticated furniture also. The village carpenters make plough, carts and other agricultural and domestic wooden articales. They get their remuneration in cash as well as in kind at the time of harvest.
Cobblers.__ The cobblers or mochis recondition old, wornout or defective footwears to make them serviceable. The experienced leather cutters, lasters and sewers make complete foot-wears like shoes, chappals and sandals. Some of them have small establishments. But their business in the district has been adversely affected in recent times with the availability of mechanized footweaers manufactured in bigger industrial concerns.
Self Eeployed Persons.__ In this category of service are included weavers, shoe-makers, potters, sweepers, hand-cart pullers, porters at railway stations and bus stands, etc. They are spread over the whole district with varying number depending upon their requirements. In the rural areas, most of them also help their families to perform agricultural operations, social ceremonies, etc. Generally, they reside in the slums and live from hand to mouth and are almost below poverty line.
Domestic Services.__ Though the practice of employing domestic servants, both in urban and rural areas, has decreased considerably, yet the domestic servants are still employed in certain houses. Some well-to-do families employ sch servants on permanent basis and some have begun the practice of engaging domestic servants on part-time basis instead of full-time. These part-time servants work as utensil cleaners washermen/washer-woman and malies (garderners), etc. The wages of domestic servants in whole-time employment vary from Rs 75 to 100 per mensem in addition to free meals and clothing.
In urban areas, female domestic servants (mais) are engaged on full-time or part-time basis. Generally, women belonging to poor families adopt this profession to supplement their income. They are employed to do specified jobs, such as washing of clothes or sweeping of houses or cleaning of utensils, etc. Such part-time female servants ara paid Rs 45 to Rs 65 per mensem in addition to sundry facilities provided by their employers.
Transport Services.__ Transport has paramount importance in the economic and social life of the people. Since Independence, especially for the last two decades, transport services have considerably increased in the district as well as in the State. Every village, one way or the other, has been linked with the main road or railway station in the district. On 31 March 1989, there were 71 registered private transport companies operating in the distrit, besides the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Bathinda. I and II and Budhlada depots. The persons employed by the different depots of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation and the private companies include drivers, conductors, mechanics and cleaners, etc. In addition to the bus services, the other modes of transportation like taxis, three-wheelers, tongas and cycle-rickshaws also render such services.
During 1988-89, there were 1929 trucks, 144 three-wheelers, 124 taxis, 623 jeeps and 3374 cars operating in the district providing transport facilities to the public.
ECONOMIC TRENDS
|
(a) |
Livelihood Pattern and the General Level of Prices and Wages |
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
The economic development is a process in which the
real per capita income increases
alongwith the decrease in the inequalities in the distribution of the income.
The economic trends reflect the economic conditions of the people. The positive
trends indiacate the progressive nature of the economy, whereas negative trends
that of economic depression.
The population of a region plays an important role in its economic development, because the human beings are not only responsible for production but are also the final consumers of the produced goods. Whereas the labour force makes a positive contribution in the development of the region, at the same time the rapid growth of population slows down the pace of development. Capital accumulation, which is a basis of economic development can only be promoted if output exceeds consumption.
(a)
Livelihood pattern and General Level of Prices and
Wages & Standard of Living
Livelihood Pattern.__ Bathinda being predominantly an agricultural district, a large chunk of its population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for its livelihood. According to 1981 Census, 35.4 per cent of the population in the district is engaged in various economic pursuits,of which cultivators and agricultural labourers alone account for 60.1 per cent of the total working force. Other workers form 25.2 per cent followed by 1.8 per cent of the household industry. Marginal workers also account for 12.9 per cent of the total working force.
On the basis of the economic activity pursued, the workers are classified into nine categories as under :
Classification of Workers in the Bathinda District according to the 1981 Census
|
Classification of workers according to their profession |
Number of persons
according to the 1981 Census |
||||||
|
Rural |
Urban |
Total |
Persons |
||||
|
Males |
Females |
Males |
Females |
Male |
Females |
||
|
1 Cultivators |
177534 |
629 |
8002 |
50 |
185536 |
679 |
186215 |
|
2 Agricultural Labourers |
82330 |
3187 |
5464 |
201 |
87794 |
3388 |
91182 |
|
3 House hold Industry (manufacturing, processing, servicing and repairs V (a) |
5788 |
451 |
2125 |
195 |
7914 |
646 |
8560 |
|
4 Other Workers (III,IV,V(b) and VI t0 IX) |
40445 |
2321 |
68428 |
5251 |
108873 |
7572 |
116445 |
|
Total Main Workers (I to IX) |
306097 |
6588 |
84020 |
5697 |
390117 |
12285 |
402402 |
|
Marginal Workers |
5724 |
51855 |
601 |
1216 |
6325 |
53071 |
59396 |
|
Non- Workers |
228573 |
409952 |
74860 |
129483 |
303373 |
539435 |
842808 |
|
Total Population |
540334 |
468395 |
159481 |
136396 |
699815 |
604791 |
1304606 |
(Census of
India, 1981 Series-17 Punjab, Part II-A and Part II-B, General Population
Tables and Primary Census Abstract, pp.226to229)
The table indicates that out of a total population of 1304606 of the district, 402402 were engaged in various types of economic activities, whereas the number of non-workers was 842808. The ratio of workers to non-workers was 35.4 : 64.6, which indicates that roughly two persons depended upon a worker for their livelihood.
To accelerate the pace of
development in the rural areas, especially to create better living
conditions,the Model Village Scheme was introduced in the disrict alongwith the
other districts of the State during 1969-70. The scheme envisaged the allround
development of villages regarding pavement of streets, construction of drains, metalling of approach roads,
construction of phirnis (circular roads) and establishment of kitchen gardens.
In the Bathinda District, 56 villages were selected under the scheme and work in all these villages has since been completed.
In order to make further improvement in the living standard of rural people, the government of India launched the integrated rural development programme with effect frim the financial year 1978-79. At the instance of government of India, the Punjab government have also started this programme in the state. Under this programme, a cluster of 5 contiguous villages increase in agricultural production. Local resources are fully developed to provide full and gainful employment within a period of five years. In due course, more and more villages will be covered under this programme. These clusters will ultimately become focal growth centers and the cluster based growth centers will encompass the whole of the rural district.
The farmers in the district are changing their traditional tools and methods of farming for machanised tools and modern.
Under the programme, 5887 persons were given loan worth Rs 137.01 lakhs, out of which Rs 61.02 lakhs was granted as subsidy during the year 1988-89 in the Bathinda district. The old wooden ploughs and bullocks have been replaced by tractors, thrashers and seed-cum-fertilizer drills, etc. Besides being regarded by the farmers as a status symbol, the modern equipments have helped in increasing farm production to a very large extent.
Prior to the setting up of the district industries centre at bathinda, the district did not make much headway in industry although the district was declared industrially backward and various incentives were provided to the entrepreneurs by the Government. The state government have also drawn various schemes to provide incentives in the shape of subsidies, interest-free loans and training facilities to develop industries in the district. The banking sector is also contributing to the growth of industries.
Prices and Wages.__ In order to assess the economic condition of the people belonging to a particular region, the comparative study of prices and wages is important. Prices affect the allocation of the economy’s resources, income and costs and production and determine the profit margin. As such, these influence the attitude of investors, determine the course of foreign trade, and lead to changes in wages. The volume and character of government expenditure also depends on the level of prevailing prices.
The table below indicates the fluctuating trend in the wholesale prices of the main agricultural commondities in the Bathinda District between the year 1984-85 and 1988-89 :-
(Per Quintal)
|
Year |
Wheat
(Rs) |
Gram
(Rs) |
Bajra
(Rs) |
Barley(Rs) |
|
1984-85 |
157.00 |
380.00 |
150.00 |
125.00 |
|
1988-89 |
240.00 |
600.00 |
180.00 |
195.00 |
(Source :
District Statistical Officer, Bathinda)
Wages are the remunerations paid to
a worker in lieu of the work done by him. In the early days, wages, especially
in the agricultural sector, were determined by customs and traditions. The
agricultural labourers and artisans were paid either in cash or in kind or in
both. But with the passage of time, the payment of wages in cash has become
more and more prevalent, especially in the case of labourers.
The rates of pay fixed for the Class IV government employees, working in different offices in the bathinda disrict, during 1988-89 are given in Appendix I on pages 292-295.
Standard of Living.__ The study regarding the standard of living of the people in a district is necessary to know the economic prosperity of its inhabitants. An accepted method of knowing the standard of living in any locality 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 Organization, Punjab, during 1987-88 conducted a survey’ regarding family budgets of selected cultivators in the state with bullock operated holdings as well as tractor-operated holdings. During the survey, family budgets of forty-five peasant proprietors having bullock-operated holdings and forty-six tractor-operated holdings were studied. The aim of the survey was to find out the returns accruing to the cultivators and find out the extent to which the goods consumed were produced in the farm or purchased from outside. The families of four villages (bullock-operated), viz. Gulabgarh (tahsil Bathinda), Ralla Kothe (tahsil Mansa), Mandi Kalan (tahsil Rampura Phul) and Chinarthal (tahsil Talwandi Sabo) in the Bathinda District were selected for the survey.
The findigs of the bullock-operated cultivators survey pertaining to income and expenditure are shown in the following table :-
|
Name of the family/ village |
Net income from all sources (Rs) |
Net expenditure
(Rs) |
Surplus/ deficit (Rs) |
|
Gulabgarh |
84904 |
75799 |
+ 9105 |
|
Ralla Kothe |
50069 |
35290 |
+ 14779 |
|
Mandi Kalan |
126433 |
41606 |
+ 84827 |
|
Chinarthal |
58013 |
33449 |
+ 24564 |
The above figures show that the families of the villages, Gulabgarh, Ralla Kothe, Mandi Kalan and Chinarthal had a surplus Budget. The survey also revealed that on an average, a peasant proprietor’s family in Punjab spent 50 percent of its income on food, 8 percfent on fuel, 12 per cent on clothing, 13 per cent on housing. 5 per cent on social, 2 each on lighting, medicine, traveling, education and amusement and luxuries, 1 per cent each on religion and miscellaneous.
The goods consumed by the families in the four villages were as under :-
|
Name of the family/
village |
Total expenditure (Rs) |
Supplied by the farm (Rs) |
Percentage |
Purchased from outside (Rs) |
Percentage |
|
Gulabgarh |
75799 |
30228 |
40 |
45571 |
60 |
|
Ralla Kothe |
35290 |
16163 |
46 |
19127 |
54 |
|
Mandi Kalan |
41686 |
18784 |
45 |
22822 |
55 |
|
Chinarthal |
33449 |
16682 |
50 |
16767 |
50 |
During 1987-88, the families of four (tractor-operated), viz. Sema (tahsil Bathinda), Kourewala (tahsil Mansa), Raiya (tahsil Rampura Phul), Bhagwanpura (tahsil Talwnadi Sabo) in the Bathinda District were selected for the survey.
The findings of the tractor-operated cultivators survey pertaining to income and expenditure are shown in the following table :-
|
Name of the family/ village |
Net income from all sources (Rs) |
Net expenditure (Rs) |
Surplus/ deficit
(Rs) |
|
Sema |
566709 |
43272 |
+ 523437 |
|
Kourewala |
141846 |
53631 |
+ 88215 |
|
Raiya |
95789 |
37152 |
+ 58637 |
|
Bhagwanpura |
196299 |
56898 |
+ 139401 |
The above figures show that the families
of surplus villages, Sema, Kourewala, Raiya and Bhagwanpura had surplus budget.
The survey also revealed that on an
average, a peasant proprietor’s family in Punjab spent 58 per cent of its
income on food, 6 per cent on fuel, 9 per cent on clothing, 13 per cent on
housing, 2 per cent each on lighting, medicine, traveling, social, amusement
and luxuries and miscellaneous, 1 per cent each on education and religion.
The goods consumed by the families in the four villages were as under :
|
Name of the family/
village |
Total expenditure (Rs) |
Supplied by the
farm (Rs) |
Percentage |
Purchased from
outside (Rs) |
Percentage |
|
Sema |
43272 |
10799 |
25 |
32473 |
75 |
|
Koure Wala |
53631 |
24497 |
46 |
29134 |
54 |
|
Raiya |
37152 |
18489 |
50 |
18663 |
50 |
|
Bhagwanpura |
56898 |
24565 |
43 |
32333 |
47 |
The Economic and Statistical Organization, Punjab conducts surveys from time to time to find out thestandard of living of the people in all districts of the State. The district-wise figures regarding the per capita income for the year 1988-89 are given below
|
Serial
No. |
District |
Income
per head (Rs) |
|
1 |
Gursaspur |
4838 |
|
2 |
Amritsar |
6297 |
|
3 |
Kapurthala |
6589 |
|
4 |
Jalandhar |
6145 |
|
5 |
Hohiarpur |
5479 |
|
6 |
Rupnagar |
6083 |
|
7 |
Ludhiana |
7037 |
|
8 |
Firozpur |
6776 |
|
9 |
Faridkot |
6714 |
|
10 |
Bathinda |
6275 |
|
11 |
Sangrur |
6629 |
|
12 |
Patiala |
6290 |
|
13 |
Punjab State |
6274 |
The above figures show that in 1988-89, the per capita income of Bathinda District at the then current prices was Rs. 6275, as compared to Rs 6274 for the Punjab State as a whole. The district ranked 8th in comparison with other districts and its per capita income was higher to Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and Jalandhar districts.
The major objective of the economic planning is the optimum utilization of human resources. Allround expansion in various sectors, particularly in the agricultural one has letd to increased employment avenues. In the agricultural sector alone, employment opportunities have expanded enormously as a consequence of the increase in farm production on account of mechanisation of agricultural practices, expansion in marketing and storage and transportation of agricultural produce. Additional employment opportunities, in the secondary as well as in tertiary sectors are also becoming available in the distict.
As already discussed, the inhabitants of Bathinda District are primarily engaged in agriculture. As per 1981 Census, 60.1 per cent of the total working force was engaged in agricultural pursuits. The development in agricultural practices has also contributed in the increased avenues in agricultural sector as well, leading to a farm surplus which further contributes in the setting up of agro-based industruces. The major section of the female workers is also engaged in agriculture in the district.
The number of persons waiting for employment in the distict as on 31 March 1989 was 28304 as compared to 39900 in 1984-85. A total of 9136 persons got themselves registered for employment in the employment exchanges during 1988-89, whereas 259 persons were given employment during the same year by the employment exchanges of the district. It clearly indicates that there is an increase in umemployment in the district.
Employment Exchanges.__ After the merger of Pepsu in Punjab in 1956, a District Employment Exchange was set up at the district headuarter at Bathinda in 1957 to cater to the needs of employment seekers belonging to the whole district. Later on, a town employment exchange was set up at Mansa on 1 October 1976. After that, another town employment exchange was started at Rampura Phul on 12 January 1979 to solve the problem of employment seekers in the district. The district employment exchange, Bathinda was upgraded to that of Sub-Regional Employment Exchange w.e.f. 1 April 1979.
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 exchanges of Bathinda District has been shown in appendix II at the end of this Chapter on page 296.
Employment Market Information Scheme.__ 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 crtain training institutes and the trades to be taught therein. It enables the government to assess the impact of developmental plans on employment.
This scheme was introduced in the stated in 1957-58, and is operated under the guidance of the director of employment, Punjab, Chandigarh. Initially, it covered only the public sector, but from 1960-61, it was also extended to the private sector.
Under the scheme, the employment exchange is responsible for collecting
regular information about the employment situation in the private as well as in
the public sectors. 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 those have occurred and the type of persons they find to be in
short supply. The information is clooected from all establishments in the pubic
sector and those employing 25 or more persons in the private sector under the
provision of the employment exchange (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 to know precisely the employment potential at these levels.
The following table clearly shows the changes in the volume of employment, both in the private and public sectors in the district, as on 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1989 :
|
Industrial Division |
Number of
establishments |
Number of employees |
||
|
31 March 1988 |
31 March 1989 |
31 March 1988 |
31 March 1989 |
|
|
1 Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying |
7 |
7 |
614 |
655 |
|
2 Manufaturing |
72 |
71 |
5993 |
6203 |
|
3 Electricity |
14 |
14 |
3909 |
3956 |
|
4 Construction |
27 |
29 |
2367 |
2291 |
|
5 Trade and Commerce |
27 |
28 |
415 |
540 |
|
6 Transport Communication and storage |
19 |
16 |
1984 |
1948 |
|
7 Public Services |
376 |
385 |
22481 |
22779 |
|
Total |
542 |
550 |
38173 |
38372 |
(Source :
Sub-Regional Employment Officer, Bathinda)
Vocational Guidance Scheme.__ The scheme aims to giving vocational guidance and employment counseling to school leavers and fresh entrants to the labour market and to help them to choose vaoctions in accordance with their interests, aptitudes and abilities. It is conducted in clode collaboration with the guidance services in schools under educational authorities. The programme 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 departmemt of the state government.
The officer in charge of the
employment exchange, Bathinda is responsible for the efficient working and
general supervision of this scheme in the district. The functions of a
Vocational Guidacne 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 place ment; assist
othr sections of the exchanges in improving the quality of registrations and
submissions to assist in the collection and compilation of up-to-date
information on occupation, training facilities; educational sources, employment
trends and employment outlook for youth and adults, scholarships and sources of
financial assistance. Its other functions include maintenance of regular
information for the use of applicants and visitors seeking information;
maintenace of up-to-date library on occupation and vocational literature; and
educating 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 invitationsal taks, group discussions and
invitational talk-cum-group discussions according to the needs of the groups;
individual guidance; and giving information, individually.
A Vocational Guidacne Unit was started in the distict in 1957. It has been steadily disseminating occupational information and vocational guidance to the deserving cases, especially to the young students community. Efforts are made to carry the facilities to all corners of the district through career talks in educational institutions.
The following table shows the work done by the Vocational Guidacne Unit, Bathinda from 1979-80 to 1988-89 :
|
Year |
Number of
individual provided |
|||
|
Group guidance
talks |
Individuals given
group guidance |
Individual guidance
cases |
Indidivuals given
occupational information |
|
|
1979-80 |
75 |
350 |
5 |
25 |
|
1980-81 |
282 |
1719 |
314 |
1334 |
|
1981-82 |
95 |
423 |
52 |
112 |
|
1982-83 |
131 |
667 |
22 |
619 |
|
1983-84 |
125 |
733 |
20 |
593 |
|
1984-85 |
41 |
207 |
39 |
1624 |
|
1985-86 |
249 |
1128 |
88 |
739 |
|
1986-87 |
115 |
612 |
72 |
970 |
|
1987-88 |
89 |
336 |
151 |
520 |
|
1988-89 |
147 |
852 |
228 |
1597 |
(Source
: Sub-Regional Employment
Officer, Bathinda)
Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM).__ For the promotion of self employment opportunities in the rural area, training of rural youth for self employment (TRYSEM) scheme was initiated by the central government in July 1979. The main thrust of the scheme is equipping the rural youth with necessary skills and technology to enable them to deek self-employment. The training courses have a practical bias and the concept of learning by doing is followed. The area of training has been restricted to agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, rural industries, small business, service establishments, etc. Only youth belonging to the families of the target groups of small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, rural artisans and others below the poverty line are eligible. Normally, persons between 18 to 35 years of age are covered and the training is imparted by existing Central and State training institutions/ organizations.
The Scheme providing self-employment
to educated unemployed youth is being implemented by the District Industries
Centre in the Bathinda District. All educated unemployed youth in the age group
of 18-35 having Matriculation qualification and above are entitled to the
benefits of the scheme. The applicants are free to opt for any activity like
industry, business and services. Under the scheme, the District Industries
Centre provides assistance up to Rs.25,000. In the year 1988-89, 813 cases
involving Rs.160.58 lakhs were financed by the District Industries Centre,
Bathinda.
TRYSEM Scheme was introduced in Bathinda District during 1980-81. The number of persons trained under the scheme during 1980-81. The number of persons trained under the scheme during 1980-81 to 1988-89 in the district is given in the following table:-
|
Year |
No. of
persons trained |
No. of
trained persons who set up their units |
No. of
persons who get employment after training |
||||||
|
|
Total |
Scheduled
Castes |
Women |
Total |
Scheduled
Castes |
Women |
Total |
Scheduled
Castes |
Women |
|
1980-81 |
298 |
110 |
159 |
43 |
15 |
23 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
1981-82 |
579 |
468 |
540 |
380 |
305 |
380 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
1982-83 |
1480 |
621 |
969 |
575 |
316 |
561 |
147 |
11 |
-- |
|
1983-84 |
1241 |
524 |
762 |
451 |
199 |
407 |
146 |
44 |
-- |
|
1984-85 |
981 |
526 |
755 |
115 |
41 |
72 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
1985-86 |
796 |
477 |
586 |
796 |
477 |
586 |
796 |
477 |
586 |
|
1986-87 |
1175 |
705 |
900 |
1175 |
705 |
900 |
1175 |
705 |
900 |
|
1987-88 |
540 |
324 |
540 |
540 |
324 |
540 |
540 |
324 |
540 |
|
1988-89 |
1149 |
709 |
860 |
1149 |
709 |
860 |
1149 |
709 |
860 |
(Source: District Rural Development Agency,
Bathinda)
Short Term Relief Measures for Unemployed:- Mitigating the hardships to the educated unemployed has been the primary concern of the Government. The scheme of paying Rs.40 per mensem to matriculates and under-graduates and Rs.50 per mensem to graduates and above as unemployment allowance was initiated in 1978-79. This allowance was admissible to persons whose names had been on the live register continuously for five years. However, the period of continues unemployment for eligibility to such allowance was reduced to three years and rates of allowance were doubled and fixed at Rs.80 per mensem for matriculates and under graduates and Rs.100 per mense, for graduates and post-graduates with family income upto Rs.3600 per annum with effect from 1st April 1981. As many as 784 unemployed persons were disbursed Rs.188346 as allowance during 1981-82 as against Rs.183060 disbursed to 646 such persons in 1980-81 in the Bathinda District. During the year 1988-89, allowance of Rs.3,80,450 was disbursed to 450 unemployed persons.
(c) Planning and Rural Development
Planning:- Planning is an
important means for achieving the economic and social advancement of the people
by formulating definite schemes by setting up targets of progress in various
sectors of economy and by achieving them within a stipulated period. After
Independence, a comprehensive programme of planned economic development has
been undertaken in the country for the social and economic uplift of the
framework of National Plans, the State and District Welfare State and
implemented through the district administrative machinery. For each scheme of
development, there are fixed targets and estimates of expenditure have been
worked out to achieve the desired social and economic goals.
Rural Development:- The Rural Development Programme, previously known as the Community Development Programme, was launched in Punjab as in the rest of the country in 2 October 1952. It was inaugurated in the district by starting the first development block at Bathinda on 2 October 1953.
The main emphasis of the programme is on improvement of agriculture and ancilliary services like animal husbandry and irrigation, which employ about 70 per cent of the rural population. The development of small-scale industries also received increasing attention for creating more employment opportunities. Other features of the programme include the provision of basic amenities like those of drinking water, village primary schools, communications, adult literacy, social education and promotion of community organizations.
The programme covers the entire district of Bathinda comprising 9 blocks, as per particulars given below:-
|
Serial No. |
Subdivision |
Block |
Date of Starting |
|
|
1. |
Bathinda |
Bathinda |
2 October 1953 |
|
|
|
|
Sangat* |
1 April 1956 |
*Out of 48 villages of Sangat Block, 29 villages fall in Bathinda and remaining 19 in Talwandi Sabo Subdivision. |
|
|
|
Nathana |
1 April 1961 |
|
|
2. |
Talwandi Sabo |
Talwandi Sabo |
1 April 1956 |
|
|
3. |
Rampura Phul |
Phul |
1 April 1958 |
|
|
|
|
Rampura |
1 April 1957 |
|
|
4. |
Mansa |
Mansa |
2 October 1961 |
|
|
|
|
Jhunir |
1. 1 April 1955
|
|
|
|
|
Budhlada |
2. 1 April 1954
|
|
(Source: Director, Rural Development and
Panchyats Department, Punjab)
Rates
of pay for different types of labourers/ workers/ Class IV
Government
servants per day/ month fixed in the
Bathinda
District during 1988-89
|
Serial No. |
Category of
Labourers / workers |
Rates of Pay |
|
|
Per day (Rs) |
Per month (Rs.) |
||
|
|
Dak Munshi |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Dak Runner |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Waterman/ Water Carrier |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Sweeper |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Mali |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Chowkidar |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Pankha Coolie |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Boatman/ Ferry-man |
25.90 |
675.85 |
|
|
Coolie |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Bahishti |
26.75 |
693.20 |
|
|
Chainman/ Flagman |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Mazdoor / Labourer (Agricultural Labourer also) |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Khalasi |
23.10 |
600.80 |
|
|
Survery Khalasi |
23.10 |
600.80 |
|
|
Mate |
23.10 |
600.80 |
|
|
Beldar |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
For drinking water, Office duty by Class IV employees |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Gangman |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Oilman |
21.65 |
563.20 |
|
|
Barber |
23.85 |
-- |
|
|
Mochi |
23.85 |
-- |
|
|
Tailor |
23.80 |
619.40 |
|
|
Dhobi/ Washerman |
26.75 |
693.20 |
|
|
Cook (without food and lodging) |
-- |
689.05 |
|
|
Cook (with free food 2 meals and 2 teas and lodging) |
-- |
498.95 |
|
|
Assistant Cook |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Man with camel |
46.15 |
1201.60 |
|
|
Man with pair of bullocks |
46.15 |
1201.60 |
|
|
Hiring charge of cart with a pair of bullocks and a man |
46.15 |
1201.60 |
|
|
Carpenter 1st class |
46.15 |
1201.60 |
|
|
Carpenter 2nd class |
36.10 |
938.75 |
|
|
Cartman |
21.65 |
563.20 |
|
|
Tinsmith |
20.20 |
525.70 |
|
|
Blacksmith 1st class |
46.15 |
1201.60 |
|
|
Blacksmith 2nd class |
36.10 |
938.75 |
|
|
Mason 1st class |
41.85 |
1088.90 |
|
|
Mason 2nd class |
36.10 |
938.75 |
|
|
Painter 1st class |
41.85 |
1088.90 |
|
|
Painter 2nd class |
36.10 |
938.75 |
|
|
Road Roller Driver |
27.45 |
713.40 |
|
|
Man without donkey |
28.90 Rs.9.66 for each extra donkey |
|
|
|
Pipe fitter |
38.90 |
752.00 |
|
|
Polisher |
26.75 |
693.20 |
|
|
Luggage porter |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Lamp man |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Aya |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Sweeper Cattle Pound |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Fitter/ Turner |
34.10 |
886.75 |
|
|
Driver for heavy vehicles |
28.90 |
751.00 |
|
|
Driver for light vehicles |
24.50 |
642.70 |
|
|
Pump operator |
23.85 |
619.65 |
|
|
Labour unskilled |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Labour skilled |
25.55 |
664.20 |
|
|
Tent Master |
23.85 |
-- |
|
|
Halwai |
46.15 |
-- |
|
|
Welder |
25.90 |
675.85 |
|
|
Moulder |
25.90 |
675.85 |
|
|
Aligner |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Mazdoor for spray |
21.65 |
-- |
|
|
Mazdoor for Military |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Mazdoor female for Military |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Cane Weaver |
23.10 |
675.85 |
|
|
Kitchen servant |
-- |
109.80 |
|
|
Trollyman |
15.85 |
-- |
|
|
Hammerman |
23.10 |
600.80 |
|
|
Frash |
-- |
541.10 |
|
|
Retired patwari |
31.75 |
851.75 |
|
|
Sewerman |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Peon |
20.80 |
541.10 |
|
|
Plumber |
34.10 |
886.75 |
|
|
Sawyer |
25.30 |
656.15 |
|
|
Motor and Pump-Attendant |
25.30 |
656.15 |
|
|
Oil Engine Driver |
25.30 |
656.15 |
|
|
Assistant Photographer |
28.00 |
727.90 |
|
|
Pipe Fitter |
34.10 |
886.75 |
(Source:
Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda)
|
Year |
No. of registrations
during the year |
No. of vacancies notified |
No. of applicants placed
in employment during the month |
Applicants on Live
Register at the end of the year |
Monthly No. of employers
using the Exchanges |
No. of vacancies carried
over the year |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
1977-78 |
16844 |
4139 |
2083 |
23190 |
529 |
1236 |
|
1978-79 |
21223 |
3277 |
1808 |
23457 |
537 |
702 |
|
1979-80 |
17384 |
3425 |
1634 |
27263 |
538 |
966 |
|
1980-81 |
17871 |
2749 |
1576 |
32134 |
378 |
963 |
|
1981-82 |
17207 |
2659 |
1606 |
32958 |
352 |
978 |
|
1982-83 |
15601 |
2096 |
1206 |
32029 |
298 |
880 |
|
1983-84 |
17061 |
1554 |
942 |
36881 |
291 |
925 |
|
1984-85 |
16199 |
1849 |
750 |
39900 |
211 |
812 |
|
1985-86 |
11695 |
1037 |
221 |