(i)
Small-Scale
Industries
Small-Scale
industries have a significant role to play, especially in the context of our
urgent need for accelerated industrial growth. Such industries mostly use power
and small machines and employ a few hired labourers and mechanics. The
different small-scale industries existing in the district during 1988-89 are
mentioned below:
(1)
Food
Products.- There were 537 units
engaged in the production of food products. Set up with a capital investment of
Rs 1,835.31 lakhs, these units employed about 4,716 persons and produced goods
worth Rs 5,895.81 lakhs.
(2)
Beverages.- There were 8 units engaged in the production of
beverages. Set up with a capital investment of Rs 7.02 lakhs, these units
employed 30 persons and produced goods worth Rs 9.97 lakhs.
(3)
Hosiery.- There were 59 units engaged in the production of
hosiery goods. Set up with a capital investment of Rs 104.87 lakhs, these units
employed 239 persons and produced goods worth Rs 100.79 lakhs.
(4)
Wood
Products .- There were 634 units
engaged in the manufacturing of wooden goods. Set up with a capital investment
of Rs 300.79 lakhs, these units employed 1,545 persons and produced goods worth
Rs 821 lakhs.
(5)
Paper
and Paper Products.- There were 214 units
engaged in the production of paper and paper goods. Set up with a capital
investment of Rs 261.49 lakhs, these units employed 870 persons and produced
goods worth Rs 542.06 lakhs.
(6)
Leather
and Leather Products.- There were
898 units engaged in the production of leather and leather goods. Set up with a
capital investment of Rs 87.01 lakhs, these units employed 1,455 persons and
produced goods worth Rs 169.79 lakhs.
(7)
Rubber
and Plastic Industry.- There were
191 units engaged in the production of rubber and plastic good. Set up with a
capital investment of Rs 342.46 lakhs, these units employed 747 persons and
produced goods worth Rs 720.40 lakhs.
(8)
Chemicals.- There were 169 units engaged in the production of
chemicals. Set up with a capital investment of Rs 382.73 lakhs, these units
employed 844 persons and produced goods worth Rs 1,156.57 lakhs.
(9)
Non-Metallic
Mineral Products.- There were 103 units
engaged in the production of non-metallic mineral products. Set up with a
capital investment of Rs 309.90 lakhs, these units employed 1,451 persons and
produced goods worth Rs 1,756.75 lakhs.
(10)
Basic
Metal.- There were 518 units
engaged in the manufacture of basic metal goods. Set up with a capital
investment of Rs 3,382.90 lakhs. These units employed 2,270 persons and
produced worth Rs 13,581 lakhs.
(11)
Metal
Products.- There were 924 units
engaged in the production of metal goods. Set up with a capital investment of
Rs 518.21 lakhs, these units employed 2,739 persons and produced goods worth Rs
1,528.91 lakhs.
(12)
Machinery
and Parts except Electrical.- There were
370 units engaged in the manufacture of machinery and its parts except
electrical in the district.Set up with a capital investment of Rs 255.56 lakhs,
these units employed 1,727 persons and produced goods worth Rs 1,193.45 lakhs.
(13)
Electrical
Machinery and Apparatus.- There were
135 units engaged in the manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus in
the district . Set up with a capital investment of RS 285.74 lakhs, these units
employed 534 persons and produced goods worth Rs 605.25 lakhs.
(14)
Transport
Equipment and Parts,- There were
241 units engaged in the manufacture of transport equipment and parts in the
district. Set up with a capital investment of Rs 560.81 lakhs, these units
employed 1,149 persons and produced goods worth Rs 939.29 lakhs.
(15)
Repairing
and Servicing Units.- There were
2,596 units engaged in repairing and servicing in the district. Set up with a
capital investment of Rs 994.17 lakhs, these
units employed 4,262 persons and produced goods worth Rs1,489.84 lakhs
during 1985-86.
(iii)
Cottage and Village Industries
Cottage and village industries play an
important role in the development of rural economy of a district. The important
cottage and village industries in the patiala District are Khadi and NON SIDO
(small Industries Development Organisation), Village Industries (KVI) , handicrafts, textiles, handloom,
etc. In 1988-89, there were 2,905 units in this sector which employed 6,771
persons.
(1)
Handloom.- There were 307 units in the district engaged in
handloom/weaving with an investment of Rs 28.99 lakhs. These employed 736
persons and produced goods worth Rs 59.26 lakhs.
(2)
Khadi
and Village Industries.- There were
837 units in the district engaged in ban making,pottery , gur,khandsari, having
an investment of Rs 217.82 lakhs. These units employed 2,528 persons and
produced goods worth Rs 1,033.87 lakhs.
(3)
Handicrafts.- There were 742 units in the district engaged in
handicrafts set up with an investment of Rs 84.48 lakhs. These units employed
1,290 persons and produced goods worth Rs 321.01 lakhs.
(4)
Miscellaneous.- There were 1019 units in the district engaged in
tailoring , bee-Keeping , atta chakki and spice grindling set up with an
investment of Rs 517,07 lakhs. These units employed 2,217 persons and produced
goods worth Rs 624.13 lakhs.
(h)
Role of Industrial co-operatives
A number of cottage industries like pottery, carpentry,
rope and fibre making ,brick making, bamboo processing, leather works,
manufacture of gur and Khandasari, etc. are being patronised by the government
and the Khadi and village Industries Board, Industrial Co-operative Societies
have been organized to unite the artisans for better management of the cottage
industries, to get government assistance in a systematic manner and to give
employment to weaker sections of the society . In 1988-89, there were 166
industrial co-operative societies in the Patiala District, out of which 21 were
handloom weaving societies, 36 were khadi and village industries and 87 were
small-scale societies. Small-scale societies are engaged in manufacturing
electric goods, plastic goods, domestic hardware goods, wooden furniture, soap
making etc. These societies are the only source for the poor artisans through
which they avail of the facilities such as financial assistance, supply of raw
material ,technical guidance and marketing. This organizations has improved the
economic condition of the artisans and played an important role in the
development and growth of various industries in the district.
The particulars regarding
the industrial co-operative societies in the district, during 1988-89, are
given in the following table:-
The industrial co-operative
in the State were under the control of the Co-operative Department till April
1963, when the industrial co-operative wing was transferred to the Industries
Department . In june 1974, these were again put under the Co-operative
Department. The Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Patiala is in charge
of the industrial co-operative societies in the Patiala District.
The amount of loans and
subsidies given by Government to the industrial co-operative societies in the
district, during 1982-83, to 1988-89 is given below:
The details regarding the share capital and working
capital of the industrial co-operative societies in the district , during
1987-88 to 1988-89 are given below:
(i)
Labour
:Deputy Registrar , Co-operative Societies Patiala)
Labour Organisation.- Labour
organisations have come into existence to protect the labourers against
exploitation by the owners of the means of productions.These organizations have
established not only health conventions, but as they grew in strenth have put
pressure upon the government to incorporate these conventions in the laws of
the country through parliamentary legislation. Prior to 1919 , the labour
legislation in India was rudimentary
and related only to factories, mines and migration. The first act which
gave recongnition to the right of the labourers to combine themselves into a
union to secure redress of their grievances was the Trade Union Act of 1926.
This Act recognised the all India Trade Union Congress, which had been holding
annual sessions since 1920 and had a number of unions affiliated to it. Inspite
of the stupendous difficulties in the way of trade union movement because of
the peculiar conditions prevailing in India such as the floating character of
the labour population , its heterogeneity, indiscipline , poverty illiteracy,
etc. the movement had made considerable headway . The representation given to
labour , first by the Government of India Act, 1935 and later by the
constitutions through special constituencies comprising registered trade unions
has been responsible for not only an increase in the number of unions , but has
also promoted the efficency of their working. The compulsory recognition by the
employers of the trade unions (made possible ) by the Indian trade Unions
Amendment Act, 1947) has given further impetus to the movement by
imparting more strength and vitality to
the unions. Besides, the trade union movement provides not only security of
employment to the workers, but also enables them to secure an advancement in
their wages. Since the Independence of the country, there has been a
considerable growth of trade union movement in the Patiala District and, as a
result, there has been a constant increase in the number of registered trade
unions. The particulars of trade unions, registered under the Indian trade
Unions Act, 1926, functioning in the district are given in Appendix at the end
of this Chapter.
Manufacturer’s Associations.- These
associations play an important role in the development and growth of industries
in the district. The main function of these associations is to look after,
promote and protect the interests of their respective members. They also help
the members in the procurement of raw materials, etc. There is only one such
registered association functioning in the district, know as Steel Re-rolling
Association, Mandi Gobindgarh.
(j)
Welfare of Industrial Labour
Welfare comprises all matters affecting the health, safety, comport and
general welfare of the workman and includes provision for education, recreation,
thrift schemes, convalescent homes, etc. It falls into two categories, viz,
activities inside the factory or
intra-mural welfare work and activities outside the factory or extra-mural
welfare work. The various items of welfare work are education, medical aid,
maternity benefits, recreation, housing, co-operative societies, grain and
cloth shops, tea shops and canteens, etc.
The welfare of the industrial labour is mainly of two types, viz.
Statutory and voluntary. In the first type fall those concessions which are to
be provided under law and secondly which are provided voluntarily by the
management on humanitarian ground os other allied and varied reason. The
Constitution itself provides that the state shall endeavour to secure, by
suitable legislation or economic organisation or in other way, to all workers,
agricultural and otherwise, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring decent
standards of living and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural
opportunities.
Industrialization in India took place in the middle of the nineteenth
century when there were no statutory provisions for labour welfare.
Consequently, the workers were forced to work in dungy and unhygienic
conditions on meager salaries with long working hours. It was only problem was
seriously thought of Prior to 1919, the
labour legislation in the country was rudimentary and related only to
factories, mines and migration. The setting up of the Royal Commission on
labour in 1929 resulted in a recommendation to lend greater weight to the
Conventions of the International Labour Organisation and the establishment by
the Ministry of Labour in 1942 of the Indian Labour Conference—almost exactly
on the tripartite pattern of the I L O . Thus the labour welfare was more
seriously looked into. Besides, the trade union movement provided not only
security of employment to the workers,but also enabled them to secure an
advancement in their wages.
After the Independence of
the country , more and more stress was laid on labour welfare. Statutory
provisions, i.e. fixed working hours, hygienic conditions, fixed salaries,
provision of creche, etc. have substantially contributed to the welfare of the
labour. Provisions of canteens, sports and games and other allied concessions
are voluntary which management provides. The wage rates paid to industrial
labour are either fixed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, or under awards and
settlements.
In order to promote
welfare of the workers outside the factory, the Government has set up a labour
Welfare Board under the Punjab Welfare Fund Act, 1965. I addition to the funds
which the board collects , the State Government since 1973-74 has been giving
an annual grant-in-aid to the board. The Board also gives stipends to the
children of the industrial workers to enable them to pursue their studies in
schools and colleges.All establishments/factories employing 100 or more workers
have been asked to open fair price shops for their workers.
For the welfare of
labourers, Labour Welfare Officers are employed in 7 factories in the Patiala District,viz. H M N Ltd.,
Nabha, Bharat Commerce and Industries
Limited, Rajpura , Punjab Scooter Limited Nabha, the Patiala Co-operative sugar
Mills Limited, Rakhra,Government Press, Patiala , Escorts Limited, Bahadurgarh;
and Goetze (India) Limited, Bahadurgarh. Under the subsidized Industrial
Housing Scheme, 100 houses were constructed by the Government for industrial
workers at Mandi Gobindgarh and 40 houses at Rajpura upto 31 March 1989.
APPENDIX
List of Registered trade Unions in the Patiala District as on 31 March
1989
Serial Name of Trade
Union
1
P U P C L Workers Union, Bhankharpur
2
Punjab Agro Industries Point Workers’ Union Rajpura
3
P U P S U L Employees’ Union, Bhankharpur Office at
Rajpura
4
Mazdoor Union, Dalima biscuits, Rajpura
5
Ghee Mill Karamchari Sangh , Rajpura
6
Ghee Mill Mazdoor Union, Rajpura
7
Amrit Banaspati Company Workers’ Union, Rajpura
8
Mount Shivalik workers’Unions, Bhankharpur
9
Bharat Commerce workers’Union,Rajpura
10
Dhurga Mill Mazdoor Sangh, Rajpura
11
Bharat Commerce Mazdoor Sangh , Rajpura
12
Patiala Paper Board Workers’Union , Rajpura
13
Chemical Industrial Workers’ Union, Dera Bassi
14
Bhatta Mazdoor Union, Rajpura
15
Orissa Cement Workers’ Union, Mubarakpur
16
Atma Tube Steel Workers’Union, Dera Bassi
17
H T E Workers’ Union,Rajpura
18
United Watches workers’Union, Dera Bassi
19
Mazdoor Union, Industrial Cable, Rajpura
20
Employees Union, Industrial Cable (India), Rajpura
21
Road Master workers’ Union, Rajpura
22
Mazdoor Union, Nabha Solvex, Rajpura
23
Punjab Agro Industries Workers’ Union, Rajpura
24
Patiala distillary Main workers’ Union, Patiala
25
National Container Mazdoor Dal, Rajpura
26
Dhaga Mill Mazdoor Dal, Rajpura
27
Galob Industries Mazdoor Dal, Rajpura
28
Government work Centre, Mazdoor Dal, Rajpura
29
Dalima Biscuit Mazdoor Dal , Rajpura
30
Stepan Chemical Mazdoor Dal, Rajpura
31
Samrat Forging workers’Union, Dera Bassi
32
Sugar Mill workers’ Union, Rakhra
33
Stepan Chemical Mazdoor Union, Rajpura
34
Alkan Wire Mazdoor Union, Rajpura
35
Galob Industry Workers’ Union, Rajpura
36
D C W Railway Workers’Union, Patiala
37
D C W Bhaukarim sangathan, Patiala
38
Diesel Component Worers’Union, Patiala
BANKING TRADE AND
COMMERCE
If agriculture and industries represent productive activity, banking and
financial institutions facilitate the growth of production by mobilisation and deployment
of the resources to various productive sectors. On the other hand,trade and
commerce facilitate the distribution of output through various channels.
(a)
History of Indigenous Banking
The history of banking in India has been as old as trade. In ancient
Indian literature, i.e. the vedas and the Manusmriti, there are quite a number
of references to the indigenous banking system which financed the Indian trade
and commerce in an age when the west had not even evolved the monetary system.
Kautalya’s Arthashastra—a famous treatise
on the science of politics and economics-mentions the presence of
bankers in the times of Chandragupt Maurya. The fact that Manu fixed the
minimum and maximum rate of interest shows that the institution of
money-lending was in vogue during his days.
Banking, however, was a
special feature of the economic life of towns in ancient times. At all times
until the coming of the Europeans , banking in India was a by-product ,
well-organised corporate bodies. They were engaged in merchant banking besides
trading. The merchants of trade guilds were doing banking business individually
and collectively. They were collecting deposits as trustees and were paying
interest. They earned much goodwill for their efficient handling of public money.
The rate of interest varied according to the size of the deposit increased
according to the size of the deposit made, but not according to the duration as
is found in modern banking. Kautalya, Yajnyavalkya and Manu recommended 15 per
cent interest per annum on capital. However, there are other instances where
the rate of interest varied according to caste-superiority. Different debtors.
Accordingly, the rate of interest charged to Brahmana debtor was 24, Kshatriya
36, Vaishya 48 and sudra 60 percent. These differences seem to appear on the
basis of security or credit worthiness of each category of debtor.
In early periods, lending money was easier and simple, as it was only the
sahukar (the indigenous money-lender), who financed his clients closely known
to him. Very little documentation was involved. The money-lenders, who at some
stage were known for fulfiling the emergent needs of the people, later on came
to be regarded as usurious for their malpractices. Exorbitant rates of interest
were charged and fictitious entries worked to the deteriment of the illiterate
borrowers. The interest was compunded at short intervals and it soon exceeded
the principal, creating circumstances under which the borrower had to part with
all his land and belongings.
With the advent of the British rule, indigenous banking received a great
set-back. The indigenous bankers received a jolt with the establishement of
European types of banks and the introduction of a uniform currency which hit
the important money-changing part of their business. They, however, managed to
survive.
As in other parts of the country, need for borrowed money in the Patiala
District has been met from two main sources; the conservative part of banking
represented by the indigenous bankers and the modern part represented by the
commercial banks and co-operative banks. Indigenous part has been by far the
largest constituent of the Indian banking and credit system especially before
the coming into existence of the joint-stock banks. It comprised village money-lender
and indigenous bankers in the cities.
The money-lender has been operating in the villages since time immemorial
and providing credit to the cultivators and others for all sorts of purposes.
In the absence of an organised system of banking and credit, he had been
financing the rural population. During the pre-British period, the number of
money-lenders was small and equally inadequate was the extent credit.
The various malpractices in the business of the money-lending attracted
the attention of the Government. To safeguard the interest of the cultivators,
the Government passed the Punjab Alienation of Land Act, 1900. The Act,
however, failed to improve the lot of the tillers. Though the money-lender had
now to be content with the produce, yet a new class of agriculturists
money-lenders came to the fore. According to the Act, credit could be given by
the sahukars upto the limit of the produce raised on the land, but the
agriculturist money-lender, to whom the Act did not apply, could lend up to the
value of the land. Thus, the Act merely changed the name of the money-lender
from sahukar to agriculturist money-lender and aggravated the difficulties of
the borrowers instead of lessening them.
The passage of the Punjab Regulation of Accounts Act, 1930, the Punjab
Relief of indebtendness Act, 1934, the Punjab Debtors’ Protection Act, 1936 and
the Punjab Registration of Money-Lenders’ Act, 1938, adversely affected the
village money-lenders. This created a scare in the minds of the money-lenders
who began to restrict their credit operations.
Need was, therefore, felt to create some agency for providing finance to
the agriculturists. The Royal Commission on Agriculture in its recommendations
stressed the necessity of developing the co-operative movement for the progress
and prosperity of rural India. There was a rapid growth in the number of
activites of the co-operative societies between 1906 and 1911.
The National Savings Schemes offer certain
unique facilities including nomination, immediate encashment by nominee on
death of account holder; interest accrued on yearly basis for income tax
purposes in the case of National Savings Certificates (VI Issue) and Social
Security Certificates and no tax deduction at source. Amounts invested in these
schemes are exempt from wealth tax upto Rs 5 lakh for an individual; and
investment made in National Savings Certificates VI and VII issues on or after
2 April 1983 qualifies for rebate in income tax under section 80-C.
National Savings Certificates.-- The Government of India have released National
Savings Certificates (Series VI and VII). On investment under these
certificates, an investor gets income tax exemption under section 80-C of
Income Tax Act, 1961. Further interest paid/accrued is exempted from income tax
upto Rs. 7,000 per annum. There is no upper limit for investment in these
series. These certificates are available in denomination of Rs 50, Rs. 100, Rs.
500, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 in the VI series and Rs. 100, Rs. 500,
Rs. 1,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 in the VII series. In the VI series, Rs.
100 invested becomes Rs. 190.10 after six years and in the VII series, the
investor gets interest at half yearly intervals. The annual rate of interest
payable on these certificate is 11 per cent.
Besides, Post Office Time Deposits and Post Office
Recurring Deposit Account Schemes are also available.
Indira Vikas Patra.-- The Scheme was introduced in the Patiala
District from 19 November, 1986. Under the Scheme, certificates in denomination
of Rs. 200, Rs. 500, Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,000 can be purchased from the post
offices for Rs. 100, Rs 250, Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,500, respectively. The money
invested in these certificates becomes double in 5 years. There is no maximum
limit for their purchase and these are freely transferable by one person to
another. The duplicate certificates can, however, be issued by the Post Office
only in case of defacement or mutilation of the certificate. The scheme yielded
a sum of Rs. 7.95 crores upto 31 March 1989 in the district.
(d) Currency and Coinage
The adoption of decimal coinage system by Government
of India in April 1957, brought about a tremendous change in the coinage system
of our country. The old rupee was divided into half a rupee (dheli or athani), one-fourth
of a rupee (pauli or choani), one-eighth of a rupee (doani), one-sixteenth of a
rupee (anna), one-thirty second of a rupee (takka) and one-sixty fourth (paisa)
of a rupee). An anna was equal to 4 paise or 12 pies.
Decimal system of currency and coinage has been
adopted by almost all countries in the world. Therefore, with a view to
bringing about uniformity and facilitating comparison with currencies of other
countries of the world, decimal coinage system was introduced in the country in
1957. A rupee now consists of 100 paise with coins in the denominations of 1,
2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paise, Besides coins of rupee one, two and five are
in vogue. Currency notes are issued in the denominations of 1,2, 5, 10, 20, 50,
100 and 500 rupees. Earlier, currency notes were also issued in the
denomination of 1,000 rupees, but these
have been demonetised w.e.f. 16 January1978. Simultaneously with other
districts of the Punjab, the decimal coinage completely replaced the old
coinage in the Patiala District with effect from 1 April 1964. In the initial
stages of the introduction of the new currency, the public in general and rural
masses in particular faced some difficulties, as the old system in particular
faced some difficulties, as the old system was deep-rooted in them. To acquaint
the people with the decimal coinage, the Government issued pamphlets and
displayed posters all over the country to facilitate the switchover to new
currency. In course of time, people became quite familiar with the new system.
'Naya paisa' named in the beginning is now called 'paisa'. On the withdrawal of
the old coinage from circulation, the prefix 'naya' became redundant and was
dropped with effect from 7 June 1964.
The decimal coinage system has brought about a great
transformation in the whole accounting procedure. Undoubtedly, it has made the
accountancy and book-keeping much easier, quicker and simpler.
The district is surplus in agricultural produce and
has good markets at Patiala, Nabha, Samana, Rajpura, Dera Bassi, Sirhind, Bassi
Pathana and Gobindgarh, where the surplus commodities are brought for sale.
Iron and steel products, rolling stocks, diesel engine, cycle/cycle parts,
spare parts of sewing machines, enamelled copper, agricultural implements,
piston rings, PVC cables, electric wires, staple yarn, groundnut oil, seeds,
foodgrains (wheat, rice and maize), pulses, chillies, desi ghee,
biscuits and world famous beverage marketed under the trade name 'Horlics' are
the most important commodities exported from the district. Pig iron, aluminium,
medicines, cotton, spices, sugar, vegetables are some of the important
commodities imported into the district.
In 1988-89, the value of export of industrial goods
from the Patiala District was to the tune of Rs. 2,352.07 lakhs. The State
Government is extending a number of facilities, like tax exemptions, cheap
power, loans, etc. to the entrepreneurs for setting up of industrial units in
this area.
(a) Course of Trade
Marketing in respect of agricultural produce is
mainly confined to surplus produce after the personal consumption by the grower
in, local markets. During the pre-Independence period, in the absence of
adequate institutional credit, regulated marketing facilities, standardised
weights and measures, storage, grading and standardisation, etc. were some of
the impediments, which made the economic position of the agriculturiests very
difficult. Now stress is being given to arrange marketing of the agricultural
produce on remunerative price. The usual course of trade for agricultural
produce in the district is through the dealers/middlemen who are members of the
regulated market committees. The growers bring their agricultural produce to a
nearby mandi and the dealers seel it to the traders. Commission agents,
whole-sellers and retailers act as middlemen between the growers and the
consumers.
The purchasers of the grain market gather at the
shop of Kachcha arthtia and the sale of the commodities starts in open
auction, under the supervision of the auctioneers appointed by the market
committee, through the commission agents turn by turn. Such sales are conducted
daily during the hours fixed for this purpose. Kachcha arhtias, who sell
the commodities on behalf of the cultivators, receive commission on fixed rates
permissible under the bye-laws of the market committee. The delivery of the
goods is made at the shop of the Kachcha arhtia and the purchaser
himself arranges for their carriage to his premises at his own cost. The Kachcha
arhtia pays the sale price to the seller immediately after the transaction
is completed. A few transactions of food-grains also take place in the village,
where kachcha arhtias charge cheaper rates.
(b) Trade Centres
(i) Regulated
and Unregulated Markets.-- in order
to save the argiculturists from exploitation by middlemen, the State Marketing
Board (now named as Punjab Mandi Board) has been set up by the State
Government. The activities of agricultural markets are regulated by the Board
under the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 which provides for
regulation of markets and formation of market committees. These regulated
markets play an important role in helping the sale of commodities at fair and
reasonalble price. Thecultivator is now better protected against the various
malpracties usually adopted earlier by traders (Beoparies) and other
intermediaries. The whole of the district has been covered by the regulated
markets and purchase centres to save the cultivator from unhealthy market
practices and to ensure him the fair price for his produce.
In the regulated markets, all commodities brought by
the growers, village traders, etc. are sold in open auction in the presence of
dealers under the supervision of the auctioneers appointed by the market
committee. Auction is held during the market hours at each shop turn by turn.
When the auction is over, a receipt showing the weight, rate and net price
after making necessary deductions is issued to the cultivator who later on
showing the same, receives payment from the arhtias.
As on 31 March 1989, there were 16 regulated markets
in the district at Bassi Pathana, Dera Bassi, Nabha, Patiala, Rajpura, Samana,
Sirhind, Patran, Lalru, Banur, Ghanaur, Amloh, Dudhan Sadhan, Dakala,
Chanarthal and Bhadson. Besides, there were 42 sub-yards attached with
regulated markets in the district. The average number of villages and area
served per regulated market were 89 and 287 sq. km., respectively. In these
regulated markets, the main commodities for which transactions usually take
place are wheat, maize, paddy, oilseeds, cotton, groundnut, etc.
There is no unregulated market in the district, as the whole of the Punjab
State has been brought under the regulated markets.
(ii) Fairs (Melas).-- A number of religious, social, recreational and
seasonal fairs and festivals are held in the district at various places.
Fatehgarh Sahib is known for two important fairs. The Shahidi Jor Mela is held
here annually in December (from 11th to 14th Poh of Bikarami) to commemorate
the martyrdom of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. Fattehgarh Sahib is
equally sacred to the Muslims because of the mausoleum of Sheikh Ahmed Mujaddid
Alf-i-Sani. An urs (death anninversary) at the grave of the Sheikh is
celebrated every year. The Sil Chapper Fair at village Sil in tahsil Sirhind is
dedicated to a Goddess. People from far and wide flock at the temple of the
Goddess on Chet Chaudash (March-April). Besides normal activities, many kinds
of trading activities also take place at these fairs and festivals. The important
fairs and festivals held in the district are mentioned in Chapter III,
'People'.
Cattle Fairs.--These fairs are of great advantage to the agriculturists, as they
facilitiate the sale and purchase of cattle. These are also a source of income
to the Government by way of fees charged on the sale/purchase of cattle. Such
fairs are held at Madhaur, Basantpura, Lalru, Dhablan, Dugal Kalan, Ram Singh
Nau, Bhadson and Galwat in the district.
(i) Co-operative Marketing.--Besides functioning as
commission agents in the markets for marketing of produce of the area, these
societies purchase wheat and other commodities for the Government whenever
required. The co-operatives are encouraged to build godowns and cold stores.
These godowns are much useful in collecting the produce in the villages.
Arrangements are made for transportation of produce to the nearest marketing
society. The storage charges in these godowns are very nominal.
As on 31 March 1989, there were 5 Sugarcane Supply
Co-operative Societies in the Patiala District providing facilities for the
sale of cane to the sugar mills.
Milk Supply Societies are fairly popular,
particularly as there is ready demand for milk by the milkfood manufacturing
factory at Nabha. The numberof Milk Supply Societies in the district, as on 31
March 1989, was 472.
Small-scale and cottage industires are also
encouraged to organise themselves on co-operative lines. The industries thus served
are handloom weaving, leather tanning, shoe-making, cycle parts and the like.
There were 50 Weavers' Societies in the district, as on 31 March 1989. Farming
Societies are also organised in the district and their number in 1988-89, was
84. Besides, Women Societies are also organised. Mostly, they are thrift
societies and provide finance for keeping deposits. They also undertake
training and production of handicrafts and cottage industries like soap and oil
making. The number of Women Societies in the district was 56 in 1988-89.
In addition to above, there is a District Wholesale
Co-operative Marketing and Supply Society at Patiala which was registered on 19
February 1959. The society undertakes wholesale business of Government supplies
of agricultural implements, seeds, fertilizers, insecticides and some other
essential goods like kerosene oil, sugar, etc. besides, following are the
registered Co-operative Marketing Societies in the district :-
Name of Society Date
of Working/Registration defunct
1 Co-operative
Marketing Society, 6-1-1958 Working
Patiala
2. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 24-12-1958 -do-
Nabha
3. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 21-12-1968 -do-
Amloh
4. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 26-4-1956 -do-
Sirhind
5. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 8-9-1977 -do-
Bassi
Pathana
6. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 3-6-1955 -do-
Rajpura
7. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 8-11-1958 -do-
Samana
8. Co-operative
Marketing Society, 18-3-1975 -do-
Patran
(Source : Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies,
Patiala)
These societies serve the economic interests of the
farming and other sections of the community in the district in an effectiven
manner. These also provide adequate storage facilities for agricultural inputs,
foodgrains and esential consumers' articles both at mandi and village
level.
The work done by the
co-operative markeint societies in the Patiala District, during 1980-81 to
1988-89, is shown in Appendiex IV on page 243.