INDUSTRIES
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(b) |
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(c) |
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(d) |
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(e) |
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(f) |
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(g) |
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(h) |
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(i) |
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(j) |
(a) Old Industries and Industrial Development
The Hoshiarpur District has been well-known for several of its products which enjoyed international markets, especially lacquer and ivory goods and other items of ornamental furniture decoration. The old industries of the district with the exception of ivory inlay, lacquerware, etc. have practically no impact on the present development of industries. In the past, cotton manufacture, i.e. durries, khaddar, susis, etc. was well in progress but now this is confined to the petty village weavers. The glass industry engaged in the manufacture of bottles and bangles, etc. depending on traditional material is practically extinct now. The silk industry, previously reared at many places, could not become popular and it has now been cornered into Kandi areas and that too is running on a very small-scale. Pottery, previously a most important small industry in the district, is presently running on a very small-scale. In the past, potters used to manufacture surahis at Dasuya, Hoshiarpur and Tanda. The kagazi or paper pottery was remarkable for its thinness. A surahis capable of containing 2 seers (1.9 litres) of water weighed only 8 surahis are still in demand for master-piece products are no longer in want. Light surahis have been replaced by glass or plastic surahis.
Leather goods such as juttis, embroidered juttis manufactured in the district were in great demand in the past. Poorer sections of the society would go in for ordinary juttis whereas elite would go in for embroidered ones. With the change of time, educated/rich persons have practically switched over to English type of foot-wears. Desi/embroidered juttis are, however, used by them as casual wears. The poorer sections however, still exclusively put on desi juttis. The old system of exporting embroidered juttis even to Uttar Pradesh, Multan (Pakistan) and to princely states such as, Patiala, Bahawalpur (Pakistan) is the tale of the past. Desi juttis, however, continue to be exported to the other districts of the State.
Brass utensils manufacturing was done in a very small-scale in the district even about a century back. Brass utensils continue to be manufactured even up to now. Machine-made brass utensils have, however, stolen a good business in the district. Stainless-steel utensils have also lessened the sale of brass utensils but still brass-utensil industry is running on a small-scale. The goods manufactured by this industry such as big patilas and boltohis are preferred by the customers to machine-made utensils. In the past, paddy was grown in abundance but was exported unhusked to the Amritsar District, whereas it could economically be husked within the district. At present, there are many rice shellers/hullers installed in the paddy growing areas of the district. Paddy is not transported to other districts. In the past, wool industry was being run on a very small-scale. Additional raw wool obtained from within the district or adjoining districts was used for the manufacture of blankets, lois (woolen sheets). Surplus raw wool was also exported to Ludhiana. This industry is now almost extinct. Ordinary weavers engaged in the cotton-weaving also weave blankets on order. Raw wool is not marketed on any appreciable scale in the district.
The notable small-scale industries in position in the past still holding their sway in the district are ivory inlay work and lacquerware. Ivory scrap or pieces were imported from Amritsar, as it was the center of the ivory work such as churis (bangles) and could supply ivory scrap, etc. This raw material has now been replaced mostly by white plastic inlay work. Previously, camel bones and chikri (white wood) were also used for inlay work. These have now disappeared as a cheaper raw material in the form of white platic is available. Lacquerware work has attained more prominence with the introduction of scientific paints and varishes giving elegance to the products. Before the partition (1947), muslim labour would work hard making new designs in the lacquerware work. Even now the designs are not lacking but the intensity of hard labour has been substituted by other allied finishes. The other small-scale industry in position in the past and still holding its sway is ban making industry. Though more and more land has been brought under plough, yet the supply of raw material –munj and baggar grass –grown at the foot of the hills has not gone short. Moreover, its design has not undergone any change. The procedure of manufacture, however, stands changed. Hand-made goods have been substituted by machine-made products.
Jute-mats were manufactured in the past from san and flax. These were manufactured in the same traditional way as durries were manufactured. It was a notable industry and in good demand but now this too has become extinct as machine-made jute-mats have replaced the indigenous products. Rope manufactured from san or flax is, however, in use by the petty farmers for their personal use.
Priority is given to the development of large and medium-scale industries which envisages the setting up of a large number of State-sponsored undertakings and the creation of nuclei of industrial growth by providing essential infra-structure and various types of facilities and concessions to the prospective entrepreneurs. Financial assistance for the development of small-scale industry under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935, is rendered to the needy small-scale industrial units on liberal terms and low rate of interest (8 per cent). In line with the policy adopted throughout the country, credit and other financial assistance are also available to small units through the State agencies of the All-India Khadi and Village Industries Board. Besides, nationalized commercial banks also advance working capital and other loans to the industry. The Punjab Financial Corporation provides finance to the medium and large-scale industrial units, whereas the commercial banks offer loans to the small-scale units for short period.
The Hoshiarpur District was declared industrially backward in 1970 by the Government of India. Previously, 10 per cent subsidy was given to the entrepreneurs who set up new industries, and the limit has been raised up to 15 per cent from March 1973. Concessional finance is also provided by the commercial banks and the Punjab Financial Corporation. Besides loans at 8 per cent per annum, 33 per cent subsidy on improved tools and equipment to trainees and subsidy on electricity rates to the extent of 25 per cent of electricity are also given.
The State Industries Department has several attractive schemes to encourage industrialists in setting up new industrial units. These include concessions regarding land, finance and capital, power, taxation, and in procuring of raw material, etc. The Department also provides technical guidance for starting new industries and imparts industrial training at various institutions. The following table shows the amount of financial assistance given under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935, for the development of small-scale industries in the Hoshiarpur District, during 1970-71 to 1974-75: -
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Year |
Loans |
Grants-in-aid
subsidy |
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No. of units |
Amount(Rs) |
No. of units |
Amount(Rs) |
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1970-71 |
98 |
3,10,000 |
- |
- |
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1971-72 |
88 |
3,01,000 |
- |
- |
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1972-73 |
33 |
1,61,000 |
- |
- |
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1973-74 |
72 |
3,67,000 |
- |
- |
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1974-75 |
56 |
3,00,000 |
- |
- |
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab 1971 to 1975)
The other measures taken for the promotion of industries in the district are discussed below:
(1) Supply of Machinery on Hire-Purchase Basis. –Started by the Government of Punjab in 1971-72, this scheme is meant to assist the educated unemployed persons, particularly the engineers, with the supply of machines on hire-purchase basis. The scheme has been entrusted by the State Government to the Punjab State Small Industries Corporation, Chandigarh. Technically qualified persons are preferred under this scheme. A maximum limit for supply of machinery to a single small-scale unit has been fixed at Rs 25,000with a view to accommodating more entrepreneurs with meager means. The value of machinery is recoverable in thirteen half-yearly installments except in the case of furnaces, boilers, cold storage, ice plant, chemical plants, tyre retreading, canning and electroplating plants, etc. for which the recovery will be in nine installments.
(2) Supply of Raw Materials. –The State Government set up the Punjab State Small Industries Corporation in 1962, to supply various services and facilities to the industry, especially to the small-scale units. The corporation procures and distributes essential raw materials and organizes sale and marketing of industrial products.
(3) Marketing Assistance. –Besides providing raw materials, machines and other equipment, the Punjab State Small Industries Corporation also implements other useful schemes like provision of setting up of factories, registration of small-scale units, marketing of the products of the small-scale industries, and sale of handicrafts and products of cottage and small-scale industries through its own emporia set up at various places. The State Government also organizes industrial exhibitions in and outside the State, in which the products of cottage and small-scale industries are displayed to the public.
(4) Quality Marking Scheme. –The introduction of quality marking is another measure taken by the State Government for the development and growth of small-scale industries. It provides testing and inspection facilities to the manufacturers and is a source of guidance to them in improving the quality of manufactured goods and in standardization. Qualified and experienced technical staff is employed, which assists the manufacturers in introducing modern techniques of production.
The following Quality Marking Centre has been set up at Hoshiarpur under the Quality Marking Schemes: -
Government Quality Marking Centre for Handicrafts and Textile Goods, Hoshiarpur. –The small-scale units at Hoshiarpur could not product the goods of uniform and standard quality, as these units did not have necessary equipment and technical staff for testing the quality control of their products. The State Government, therefore, started the Quality Marketing Centre for Handicrafts and Textiles at Hoshiarpur in 1967.
The aims and objects of the centre are: to make the manufacturers quality conscious and induce them for quality goods; to make the customers quality conscious by propagating the advantage of buying the quality marked goods; and to help the manufacturers in producing standard quality goods and certifying them with the Punjab Government Certificate Mark. No fee is charged for the services rendered by the centre. These include testing of raw materials and finished products in addition to the technical guidance and inspection of finished products. The centre registers the units with the prescribed procedure. The units have to execute an indemnity bond as a safeguard against fraudulent use of quality mark.
The specifications followed by the centre are as per standard laid down by the Indian Standards Institution (I.S.I.). Where no standards have been prepared y the I.S.I., the centre prepares its own specifications in consultation with the manufacturers and with the help of Advisory Committee.
The progress achieved by the centre, from 1970-71 to 1974-75, is shown in the following table: -
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Year |
No. of parties registered under the Quality Mar-king Scheme |
No. of tests performed |
Value of goods quality market(Rs) |
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1970-71 |
2 |
692 |
1,69,455 |
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1971-72 |
2 |
789 |
2,18,202 |
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1972-73 |
- |
578 |
2,75,838 |
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1973-74 |
- |
586 |
3,46,632 |
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1974-75 |
3 |
819 |
12,55,659 |
(Source: The Junior Technical Officer, Quality Marking Centre for Handicrafts and Textile Goods, Hoshiarpur)
(5) Other Organizations for the Development of Industries. –Besides the above mentioned measures, there exist the following organizations for the promotion of industries: -
(i) The Punjab State Small Industries Corporation Ltd., Chandigarh. –It was started by the State Government in 1962 mainly to provide marketing assistance to the small-scale industries in the State. The main functions of the corporation comprise procurement, storage and distribution of industrial raw materials, whether imported or indigenous. The raw materials are distributed to those industrial units whose names are recommended by the Director of Industries, Punjab, Chandigarh, through its offices opened in various towns. The corporation office was established at Hoshiarpur in April 1970. Iron and steel items are provided to the concerned units at the controlled price. During 1974-75, the corporation distributed raw materials worth Rs 9,96,000 to 102 parties in the district. Besides, it also gives facility of purchasing machinery on hire-purchase basis to the small-scale industries. It also undertakes the sale of handicrafts and products of cottage and small-scale industries through its own emporia set up at various places.
(ii) The Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Chandigarh. –Incorporated in January 1966 under the Companies Act, 1956, the corporation was charged with the task of promoting new large and medium-scale industries projects. It investigates the techno-economic feasibility of new projects and procures industrial licences from the Government of India whenever required. When the project is ripe for implementation, private entrepreneurs are invited to collaborate with the corporation in implementing the project. The corporation generally holds 26 per cent equity shares and management is left with the private entrepreneurs.
(iii) 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 industrial concerns located in the State. The corporation advances loans between Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 15 lakhs to all types of units besides extending loans to public limited companies and co-operative societies in whose case the limit rises to Rs 30 lakhs.
The corporation also advances loans to the transport industry. The holders of a route permit or an eligibility certificate for a route permit are granted loans for the acquisition of new/old vehicles at the rate of 25 per cent of the value of the vehicle. In view of the shortage of electric power, the corporation advances loans to the industry to enable them to purchase their own generating sets.
(iv) The Punjab Corporation Limited, Chandigarh. –It was initially started in 1963 to organize export of all such goods which were manufactured or could be procured from within the State. The corporation assists industrial units in finding export markets for their products. Financial help in the form of advance is provided to execute export orders channelized through the corporation. So far as Hoshiarpur District is concerned, the corporation has helped a lot in increasing the export of wooden and handicraft products.
(v) The Government Wood-seasoning, Plant, Hoshiarpur. –In the past, the district was well-known for the manufacture of wooden toys and furniture. For the manufacture of these goods, seasoned wood is required. This wood was not available from within the district and its import from other districts entailed additional expenditure besides the wastage of man-hours. To meet this outstanding demand of petty artisans, a wood-seasoning plant was installed at Hoshiarpur in 1965 to meet the increasing demand of seasoned wood for the manufacture of wooden handicrafts and furniture. The shisham wood, mostly used for furniture and toys, is available in plenty in the district.
In India –essentially a land of agriculture –there was acute shortage of skilled workers required for the industrial development. This shortage was more acutely envisaged in Punjab because most of the skilled workers (generally Muhammadans) had left for Pakistan. With the result, condensed courses had to be started after partition to cope with demand. This shortage was not so badly felt in the Hoshiarpur District as it was industrially backward. The shortage of skilled workers in the field of ivory inlay and lacquerware work was, however, there as in this trade mostly Muhammadan workers were engaged. The gap was, however, filled by the promising emigrant artisans who were able to save the extinction of the ivory inlay and lacquerware industries from the district.
Shortage of the skilled labour was a State problem after the partition. It was felt more intensely due to the introduction of Five-Year Plans. Since the First Five-Year Plan (1951-56) was primarily and agricultural plan, the shortage of the skilled workers was felt but not very severely even for the development of improved agricultural implements. For the manufacture of these, implements, etc. skilled workers were required. IN the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), this shortage was more apparent as this plan was an industrial one. The Government was alive to the situation and immediately came out with the opening of institutes throughout the State. These institutes were to make available the skilled and semi-skilled workers required in the industrial field. Utmost care was taken to impart those technical courses for the training in these institutes, which were greatly in demand in the concerned district. For instance, training in ivory inlay and lacquerware work was confined to the training institutes being run in the Hoshiarpur District. These training institutes run in the district created certain other problems. Workers were trained and there was no industry in the district for seeking employment elsewhere. This problem has been solved to some extent by declaring the district as industrially backward in 1970. More and more steps have been taken to industrialize the district. This would absorb the skilled and semi-skilled workers. In the beginning, even the Central Government was incurring the expenditure borne on running these training institutes. From April 1, 1969, it has altogether become the liability of the concerned State to run these institutes.
The industrial training programme in the Punjab received an impetus under the Government of India’s programme. The Department of Industrial Training, Punjab, imparts industrial, technical and vocational training to boys and girls through its various industrial training schools/institutes/centres.
There are two Government Industrial Training Institutes in the district, one each at Hoshiarpur and Talwara, were training in engineering and non-engineering trades is given to the students. Besides, there are two Government Industrial Schools at Hoshiarpur, one each for girls and boys. The Government Industrial School for Girls imparts training in tailoring, cutting, needle work and embroidery. Deserving candidates are also awarded stipends. The Government Industrial Schools for Boys imparts training in weaving, lacquer, turning, ivory inlay, cutting and tailoring, dyeing and calico, printing and hosiery. Besides, there is a Training-cum-Production Centre for Lacquerware at Hoshiarpur, which imparts training in free-hand drawing, engraving and lacquer-turning. Apart from these, there is a Government Industrial Training Centre for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes at Garhshankar for imparting industrial training to students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
The detailed particulars regarding the different Government Industrial Training Institutes in the district are given in the following statement: -
Government
Industrial Training Institutes in the Hoshiarpur District
Number of Seats Sanctioned Trade-Wise, during 1974-75
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S.No. |
Name and Location of Institute |
Year of Establishment |
Duration |
Name of Trade/Course |
Number of Seats |
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(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
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1. |
J.R. Government Polytechnic, Hoshiarpur |
1962 |
3 years |
Diploma in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering |
120 |
|
2. |
Industrial Training Institute, Hoshiarpur |
1963 |
1 year/ 2 year |
Fitter Electrician, Mechanic (Instrument), Radio Mechanic, etc. |
128 Ranging from 16 to 48 |
|
3. |
Industrial Training Institute, Talwara |
1963 |
1 year/ 2 year |
Machinist, Fitter, Turner, etc. |
Ranging from 12 to 16 |
|
4. |
Government Industrial Training School, Garhshankar |
1968 |
1 year/ 2 year |
Fitter, Turner, Machinist & Tractor Mechanic |
.. |
|
5. |
Government Industrial School for Girls, Hoshiarpur |
.. |
1 year |
Tailoring and Cutting Hand Embroidery |
32 16 |
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6. |
Government Industrial School for Boys, Hoshiarpur |
.. |
1 year |
Weaving Lacquer Turning |
75 130 |
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Ivory Inlay |
95 |
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Cutting and Tailoring |
32 |
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Dyeing and Calico Printing |
35 |
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Hosiery |
16 |
(Source: Industrial Training Department, Punjab, Chandigarh)
(d) Industrial Estates and Industrial
Development Colony
With the primary object of providing built up factory sheds to such small-scale entrepreneurs who cannot afford to keep their capital blocked in the land and building, the Industries Department, Punjab, has set up two rural industrial estates in the Hoshiarpur District at Dasuya and Hariana, besides an urban industrial estate at Hoshiarpur Proper. There is also an industrial development colony at Hoshiarpur. The detailed information in respect of these is given below:
Industrial Estate, Hoshiarpur. –The industrial estate at Hoshiarpur has 20 sheds. Out of these, 17 sheds have been allotted on hire-purchase basis and are properly functioning. The main industrial activity in these sheds is polythene bags, conduit pipes, hydraulic pumps, machine took resin and turpentine, agricultural implements, etc.
Rural Industrial Estate, Dasuya. –The estate covers an area of 32 kanals and has 8 sheds. Seven sheds have been allotted to the industrialists, while the remaining one is occupied by the Rural Industrial Development Centre, being run by the Industries Department. Facilities for carpentry and light engineering are provided here. The machinery in light engineering trade has been installed for the purpose of giving common facility to the public especially farmers and artisans in getting their machinery, tools and equipment repaired at nominal rates than the market.
Rural Industrial Estate, Hariana. –This estate has 8 sheds. One of these is occupied by the Rural Industrial Development Centre for carpentry, Hariana, being run under the Industries Department. The machinery in wood working has been installed for the purpose of giving common facility to the public, especially in making furniture of all types. Two sheds are occupied by the Rural Artisans Training Centre run by the Industrial Training Wing of the Industries Department. Training in carpentry, shoe-making, dyeing and printing and fruit preservation is imparted. All the trades have one=-year training period.
Industrial Development Colony, Hoshiarpur. –Since demand for developed plots continued pouring in, in the interest of expediency, it was decided to utilize the available vacant land adjacent to the industrial estates and develop it in the form of suitable plots, as in the industrial areas, and name it as industrial development colony. The number of plots in the Industrial Development Colony, Hoshiarpur, is 53. The allotment is made on the basis of scheme, the existing premises, giving preference to the unemployed engineers. The cost of the plot is required to be deposited in lump sum within two months of the date of allotment.
The various sources of power are: wood-fuel, coal, oil and alcohol, wind and water. Wood-fuel is too scarce to serve any useful purpose for industries. The position regarding coal and oil is fare from satisfactory. The regions in which coal is concentrated are too far off and its transportation entails heavy cost. The oil production in the country being too small can hardly meet the requirement. Thus, ample supply electricity can only meet the requirements of industrial expansion. The consumption of electricity is cited as an index of economic development.
The Hoshiarpur town received power supply in 1930-31, through a diesel power house, installed by the Hoshiarpur Electric Supply Company, Hoshiarpur. The hydro-electric power came to the town in 1953-54, and its distribution was controlled by the P.W.D. Electricity Branch. The advent of the hydro-electric power from the hydro-electric station at Jogindernagar (Himachal Pradesh) gave an impetus to the setting up of new industries and development of the existing ones. By and by, electricity is replacing other sources of power.
There is no thermal power plant in the district. The supply of hydro-electric power in the district is satisfactory and is at per with other areas of Punjab. A power grid station with 132 K.V. capacity is functioning at Hoshiarpur. Besides, there are 7 grid sub-stations with 33 K.V. capacity at Mahalpur, Balachaur, Dasuya, Mukerian, Talwara, Tanda and Hariana.
The electrification projects remained under the Punjab P.W.D., Electricity Branch, from 1933 up to January 31, 1959, when the Punjab State Electricity Board was formed and the whole of the administration along with all its assets and liabilities was transferred from the Government to the newly constituted board.
The Hoshiarpur District is served by the Hoshiarpur Circle, which comprises four electrical divisions, viz. City Division, Hoshiarpur; Sub-urban Division, Hoshiarpur; Dasuya Division; and Nawashahr Division, Nawashahr. These are under the administrative control of the Superintending Engineer, Hoshiarpur Circle, Punjab State Electricity Board, Hoshiarpur.
The number of towns/villages electrified in the district, as on March 31, 1974, was 716, forming 45.01 per cent of the total number of villages/towns in the district. This number rose to 844 as on March 31, 1975, forming 53.04 per cent of the total number of villages/towns in the district1. The total number of industrial consumers in the district, during 1973-74 was 1,339 which rose to 1,609 in 1974-75.
1
Statistical Hand Book Punjab, 1974-75, p. 61 and
Statistical
Hand Book Punjab, 1975-76, p. 122
(Issued by the Economic Adviser to Government,
Punjab, Chandigarh)
(f) Growth and Development of Industries
The Hoshiarpur District has remained industrially backward due to its geographical position. Being situated on the railway branch line and with inadequate means of communications and transport, it could not attract the outside entrepreneurs to set up new industrial units. However, the immediate effect of rapid industrial development in the neighbouring districts gave impetus to local people in taking initiative for starting new industries. In order to develop industrially backward areas, a chain of Rural Industries Projects were started by Government of India after declaring them as backward. The district was declared as industrially backward by the Government of India in 1970. Besides, a Rural Industries Project Organization under the overall control of the State Government was set up in 1972-73 at Hoshiarpur. It conduced a techno-economic survey to find out industrial potentialities of the district.
The district has been well-known for its products like ivory inlay, wood carving, lacquerware and other items of ornamental decorative furniture. Consequent upon the partition (1947), these industries got a severe set back due to the migration of Muslim skilled labour to Pakistan. However, local people and migrated non-muslim artisans revived the age old handicrafts of the district. The prominent industries in the district are –resin, turpentine, ivory inlay goods, shellac manufacture, handloom weaving, wood work, pottery, tanning, shoe-making, rice husking, etc.
(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 few industries, which fall partly in the large/medium-scale sector and partly in the small-scale sector, have been discussed as a whole among those in the large/medium-scale sector :
(i) Large and Medium-Scale Industries
In the Hoshiarpur District, there are three units in the large-scale sector and three in the medium-scale sector, which are mentioned below:
(1) Mahavir Spinning Mills, Hoshiarpur. –An ultramodern spinning unit of 25,000 spindles is functioning at Hoshiarpur. It is fitted with indigenous machinery. This unit went into production in May 1976 with the capacity of 8,500 spindles. From November 1976, its capacity was raised to 25,000 spindles. The mill has invested Rs 334.70 lakhs on machinery, etc. and Rs 137.90 lakhs as working capital. Medium-quality cotton is used as a raw-material, which is procured from the cotton-growing areas. There are about 2,500 looms functioning in the district. The unit provides employment to about 2,000 persons.
(2) DCM Engineering Works, Asron. –Located on the Rupnagar-Hoshiarpur road near village Asron, DCM Engineering Works is another large-scale unit. It went into production in 1977. It has invested Rs 11 crores on land, machinery and building. Its working capital is Rs 170 crores. The items produced by the industry are: iron castings, etc. which are went to Pinjore and Faridabad. There are 379 persons in employment of the unit.
(3) Sterling Steels and Wires Ltd., Village Chohal. –It is a large-scale unit and started production only in 1977. The item produced are: steel-wires-drawing and their treatment. The raw materials used are, mild steel and chemical treatment. Rupees four crores are said to have been invested in this industry.
(4) Pressure Cookers and Appliances Ltd., Hoshiarpur. –It is a medium-scale unit and started its production with effect from March 31, 1976. It has invested Rs 40 lakhs on land, building and machinery. Its working capital is Rs 11,75,000. The unit manufactures about 87,000 cookers annually to the value of rupees one crore. It provides employment to 85 workers.
(5) Kakkar Complex Steel Pvt. Ltd., Village Chak Gujraj. –It is another unit in the medium-scale sector and manufactures high alloy castings. This unit went into production with effect from October 3, 1977. The raw material used by it is used by it is mild iron, steel scraps.
(6) The Hoshiarpur Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Ajjowal. –An ultramodern milk plant has been set up in the co-operative sector at village Ajjowal, with the total investment of Rs 34,54,785. The working capital of the unit comes to Rs 1,28,000. this unit bottles about 60,000 liters of milk daily. Besides, it also prepares butter, ghee, cheese and other allied items. The unit provides employment to 113 workers.
(ii) Small-Scale Industries
Good are manufactured not only by large and medium-scale industries but are also produced by small-scale producers. Small-scale industries mostly use power and small machines and employ a few hired labourers or apprentices. The different small-scale industries existing in the district are given below:
(7) Resin based Industries. –Prior to the transfer of Una Tahsil to Himachal Pradesh on the reorganization of the Punjab State on November 1, 1966, Hoshiarpur was well-known for turpentine industry. With the transfer of this tahsil and some other areas, the supply of raw material has been restricted as certain resin based units have taken up turpentine and resin goods manufacturing in Himachal Pradesh. Even before the partition, though the supply of resin and turpentine found place in Hoshiarpur, yet it was mainly further transported to Jallo (Pakistan) with partition, the industry grew leaps and bounds and the number of turpentine and resin units also started manufacturing paints, varnish, pine-oil and synthetic resins.
In 1975-76, there were 35 units dealing with resin and turpentine providing employment to 410 persons. Thirty lakhs of rupees are said to have been invested in the industry. The total production of these units during 1975-76 was Rs 2.75 crores.
(8) Agricultural Implements. –In 1975-76, there were 87 units engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements and machinery in the district. The improved agricultural implements, i.e. fertilizer-cum-seed drills, maize shellers and wheat thrashers are manufactured. Besides, discs, ploughs, offset harrows, drills, earth levelers and other traditional implements are also manufactured. The industry is mainly concentrated is Hoshiarpur, Bhunga, Tanda Urmar, Dasuya and Mukerian. The total investment in the industry is said to be Rs 18.80 lakhs. In 1975-76, it produced goods worth Rs 3 lakhs and gave employment to 185 persons.
(9) Diesel Engines and Centrifugal Pumps. –IN 1975-76, there were 21 units engaged in the manufacture of diesel engines required for centrifugal pumps, wheat thrashers and maize shellers. These units are located at Mukerian, Tanda Urmar, Garhshankar and Hoshiarpur. Rupees 2.28 lakhs are said to have been invested in the form of machinery and equipment in this industry. Its working capital is about Rs 4 lakhs and its production during 1975-76 was Rs 16.5 lakhs. It gave employment to 33 persons in the same year.
(10) Rice-Shellers. –The areas comprising Mukerian, Dasuya and Tanda Urmar are most suited to rice cultivation. Rice is sown here in abundance. There are in all 15 rice-shellers functioning at Mukerian, Tanda Urmar and Hoshiarpur. About Rs 45.60 lakhs are said to have been invested in this industry. In 1975-76, it gave employment to 229 persons and produced goods worth Rs 34.52 lakhs.
(11) Wood Furniture. –Hoshiarpur has been for a long time past well-known for the manufacture of wooden goods. At present, there are about 46 units engaged in the manufacture of wooden furniture. The items manufactured by the units are wooden goods, laboratory furniture, domestic furniture and other sundry wooden goods like gadda, pawas etc. In 1975-76, the goods produced by this industry were of the value of Rs 19.36 lakhs and it gave employment to 145 persons during the same year.
(12) Ivory Inlays, Lacquerware and Wood-Carving. –Before partition (1947), Hoshiarpur was very famous for ivory inlays, lacquerware and wood-curving. With the migration of Muslim craftsmen to Pakistan, the industry received a set back. But with the immigration of other certain skilled labourers in the district, this Industry has, however, been able to survive. Before the independence, there were about 200 units engaged in ivory inlays and wood-carving. In 1975-76, there were 26 units engaged in ivory inlays and wood-carving. In 1975-76, there were 26 units engaged in this industry. The notable village where craftsmen are engaged in the manufacture of these goods, are: Adamwal, Bassi Gulam Hussain and Buthgarh. Some of the firms located at Hoshiarpur are also exporting these handicrafts. The materials used in this industry are wood, ivory and plastic. Ivory is of two types, i.e. ivory and its scrap. Ivory has been substituted by white plastic, which is equally shining and durable. It attracts the customer to that of ivory inlay articles. The articles manufactured in this industry are chairs, tables, small boxes, chess boards and wall plates. The investment of the industry comes to Rs 40,000. In 1975-76, it produced goods worth Rs 16.25 lakhs and gave employment to 82 persons.
(13) Ice Factories. –There are 7 ice factories located in the district, 4 at Hoshiarpur, 1 at Tanda Urmar and 2 at Mukerian. Over one and a half lakhs of rupees are said to have been invested in the ice factory at Tanda Urmar and about Rs 3 lakhs on the 2 factories located at Mukerian. These factories cater to the needs of the towns and the suburban area.
(14) Shoe-Making. –Shoe-making is an important industry in the district. Its main products are: desi and embroidered jutties, chappals, gurgabis, sandals, etc. The raw materials used are chrome, calf leather and dhories. Chrome, calf leather and other uppers are imported from Jullundur, Kanpur, Calcutta and Madras. In 1975-76, 38 units were engaged in the industry which gave employment to 64 persons and produced goods worth Rs 2.85 lakhs.
(15) Soap-Making. –In 1975-76, there were 25 units engaged in the manufacture of washing soap and detergent. These units are mostly concentrated at Hoshiarpur, Tanda Urmar, Dasuya, etc. Narol variety a name for the pure soap in which no tallow or sodium silicate is used is very common. This industry can be run with a small capital. Not much equipment is required for the industry. Only bhatties, karahas, tanks, moulds and patterns, etc. are required. The total investment in this industry is said to be over Rs 6 lakhs. More than Rs 50,000 are invested as fixed capital in the form of machinery and land. Nearly Rs 5 lakhs are invested as its working capital. The number of persons employed in this industry, during 1975-76 was 127 and it produced washing soap and detergent worth Rs 4.37 lakhs during the same year.
(16) Brass Utensils. –In 1975-76, there were 50 units engaged in the making of brass utensils. Old/broken brass utensils and kansi scraps are again moulded into sheets after heating. These are further beaten to make the required utensils. The main products of these units are patilas, thalis, katoras, parats and valtohis, etc. These units have an investment of Rs 2.95 lakhs and working capital comes to about Rs 30.40 lakhs. The goods produced by this industry during 1975-76, was Rs 6 lakhs and it gave employment to 146 persons.
(17) Trunks, Pettis and Buckets. –In 1975-76, there were 114 units engaged in the manufacture of trunks, pettis, buckets, etc. Most of these units are located at Hoshiarpur. In 1975-76, it produced goods worth Rs 9.20 lakhs and employed 114 persons.
(18) Saw and Flour-Mills. –In 1975-76, there were 58 saw-mills in the district. Of these, 17 are located at Hoshiarpur. Some parts of the district are known as Kandi areas, where the wood is available in plenty. The wood is made available to these units in the district engaged in the manufacture of wooden goods, i.e. furniture, toys and building materials, etc.
There are 152 registered flour-mills in the district. Flour chakkies are been almost in every notable village. In chakkies, on an average, two-three persons are engaged. There are about 540 chakkies situated in the rural and urban areas catering to the needs of the people in the district. In the village sector, 26.60 lakhs of rupees are invested, providing employment to 440 workers.
(19) Auto-parts. –In 1975-76, there were 7 units engaged in the manufacture of automobile-parts, viz. king-pins check-nuts, motor-ring plates, gear-plates, hub-nuts and rear-axles for trucks and jeeps, etc. Most of these units are concentrated at Hoshiarpur. These units provided employment to 20 persons in 1975-76 and produced goods worth Rs 1.85 lakhs. In addition to these, there are 30 auto-workshops. Besides, there are 5 units engaged in the manufacture of engineering goods on a small-scale. Their capital investment comes to Rs 2,40,000 giving employment to 27 persons.
(20) Lac and Shellac. –The district has been the center of lac and shellac industry. Before the partition, this industry was almost the monopoly of the Muslim workers. Presently, this industry is on the wane. There are only four units in Hoshiarpur, which have invested over Rs 50,000 in the industry. The raw materials required for running these industries are lac and resin. Lac is obtained from the ber trees from within the district and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh. Supplies are also received from the Gurdaspur District. The collection of lac, however, is a seasonal business. The products are mainly used for ornamental work and lacquered articles, toys and table-lamps, etc.
(21) Cement Jalis. –In 1975-76, there were 21 units engaged in the manufacture of cement jails. These are installed for ventilation purpose. These units provided employment to 71 workers and produced cement jails worth Rs 21.10 lakhs.
(22) Conduit Pipes. –Only one unit is engaged in the manufacture of conduit pipes with an investment of Rs 1.95 lakhs, providing employment to 8 workers. The raw materials used in the manufacture of conduit pipes are iron, steel and coal, etc.
(23) Dairy Farming. –In 1975-76, there were 23 units engaged in dairy farming, which produced goods worth Rs 9.22 lakhs and gave employment to 22 persons. These units are associated with milk co-operative societies running in the district.
(24) Electrical Goods. –In 1975-76, there were 3 units engaged in the manufacture of electrical goods and fans in the district. These units provided employment to 23 workers and produced goods worth Rs 2.17 lakhs.
(25) Black Salt. –Only one unit is engaged in the production of black salt in the district. Twenty thousand of rupees have been invested in this unit providing employment to 2 workers. The unit only grinds, sifts and packs the black salt into small packets for sale.
(26) Water-Lifting Equipments. –One unit is engaged in the manufacture of water-lifting equipments with an investment of Rs 0.25 lakh, providing employment to 3 workers.
(27) Cement Pipes. –In 1975-76, there were 4 units engaged in the manufacture of cement pipes in the district. These units produced cement pipes worth Rs 2.15 lakhs and gave employment to 26 persons. Cement pipes are in a great demand for underground drainage and construction of the houses, etc.
(28) Brass Wires. –One unit is engaged in the manufacture of brass wires employing 2 2orkers with the total investment of Rs 25,000. Its production during 1975-76 was Rs 0.25 lakh.
(29) Pharmaceuticals. –In 1975-76, there were 3 units engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals in the district. These units produced goods worth Rs 0.66 lakh and provided employment to 6 workers.
(30) Aluminum Utensils. –Only one unit is engaged in the district in the manufacture of aluminum utensils, providing employment to 8 workers. In 1975-76, it produced aluminum utensils worth Rs 0.50 lakh.
(31) Acids. –One unit is engaged in the acid manufacturing in the district. It produced acids worth Rs 0.25 lakh and gave employment to 2 persons.
(32) Rubber Goods. –In 1975-76, there were 3 units engaged in the manufacture of rubber goods which produced goods worth Rs 2.45 lakhs and gave employment to 9 persons.
(33) Candle Making. –In 1975-76, there were 6 units engaged in the manufacture of candles and produced goods worth Rs 1.25 lakhs and gave employment to 15 persons.
(iii) Cottage and Village Industries
Cottage and village industries provide an excellent base for economic uplift, particularly of the weaker sections of society. The Government is laying much stress on developing these industries, especially handloom weaving, sericulture, leather and other handicrafts, in various parts of the State. Industries which are carried on in the home of the artisans, assisted by the members of their families, are called cottage industries. The most important cottage and village industries, viz. handloom weaving, leather tanning, leather goods, ban and rope making gur and khandsari, oil ghani, etc. are described below:
(34) Handloom Weaving. –This is an important small-scale industry in the district. In 1975-76, there were 2,957 units which gave employment to 5,914 persons. These units produced goods worth Rs 99.86 lakhs, during the year. The products of these units are mainly, khaddar, khesis, bukram etc.
Besides, there are about 1,743 weavers engaged in weaving, khaddar, khesis and other allied items. These units could face closure any moment but now the opening of a spinning mill in the large-scale sector at Hoshiarpur, has made the chances of their survival bright.
(35) Leather Tanning. –In 1975-76, there were 331 units engaged in the leather tanning in the district. These units produced goods worth Rs 8.21 lakhs and gave employment to 386 persons.
(36) Leather Goods. –The district has since long been known for the manufacture of superior leather goods. In 1975-76, there were 2,275 units in the district which provided employment to 3,175 persons. The goods produced by these units were to the tune of Rs 47.48 lakhs, during the year.
(37) Ban and Rope-making. –Another village and cottage industry in the district is ban and rope-making. The main raw material used by this industry is munj and buggar. Buggar is available in plenty in Hoshiarpur Tahsil. In 1975-76, there were 1,275 units engaged in this industry, which produced goods worth Rs 16.23 lakhs and gave employment to 1,518 workers. Mostly, these units are concentrated in Hoshiarpur-II block, where about 388 families are engaged in ban and rope-making. Some units are also functioning at Mahalpur, Balachaur and Dasuya. To avoid the extinction of this industry, the Government is giving assistance to the workers.
(38) Gur and Khandsari. –In 1975-76, there were 10 units engaged in gur and khandsari industry which produced good worth Rs 0.57 lakh and gave employment to 85 persons.
(39) Oil Ghani. –In 1975-76, there were 45 units engaged in this industry, which produced goods worth Rs 0.91 lakh and provided employment to 85 persons.