(f) Floods

Floods are caused by overflowing of rivers of by excessive rains from year to year and from place to place. The Sangrur District is a flat plain without the river; the seasonal Ghaggar River flows along the southern part of the district near Moonak in the Sunam Tahsil. Also, there are two monsoon torrents, the Sirhind and the Jambowal Chos, which pass through the district. The floods caused some loss of human and animal lives, and also damaged the property and crops, in the district in 1968, 1979, 1971, 1973 and 1976. In such situations, Government provides relief to the flood-affected people in the shape of gratuitous grant and taccavi loans, remission of land revenue/abiana and electricity charges to the tube-wells owners, and postponement of recoveries of previous taccavi loans, etc. in accordance with the magnitude of the clamity.

Besides, the Drainage Department executes various drainage and floods control schemes under the Master Plan on Flood Control. In Sangrur District, a number of drains were constructed by the department resulting in reclamation of thousands of hectares of waterlogged lands. These drains have brought manifold benefits to the district; these are helpful to control floods, to lower the watertable of waterlogged areas, to make land cultivable and to clear the blockades in the natural depressions which were formed, prior to the canalization of main chos and excavation of drains, with the construction of canals, distributaries and roads without providing proper outlets for drainage.

The following table shows the damage caused by floods and heavy rains in the district during 1968 to 1978: -

Damage caused to private property and area under crops, produce and its value due to floods during rainy season in the Sangrur District, 1968 to 1978.

Year	Number of villages/ towns affected	Area affected (sq. Km)	Human Lives lost (number)	Cattle heads lost (Number)	Houses damaged (Number)	Area Affected (hectares)	Produce damaged (00,Qts.)	Value (,000Rs)
1968	245	376	---	2	---	33,204	3,143	33,019
1969	---	105	4	2	105	5,260	---	5,749
1970	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
1971	22	10	---	---	82	2,738	1,055	1,732
1972	---	---	---	---	---	--	--	-
1973	19	33	--	2	515	327	40	289
1974	--	---	---	---	--	---	---	---
1975	---	---	---	--	53	---	---	---
1976	16	37	--	20	249	2,647	---	396
1977	---	---	--	---	---	---	---	---
1978	32	28	---	---	35	2,750	…	3,922

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1969 to 1973)

(g) Famine

Although, draughts and famines have frequently been occurring in the erstwhile princely State of Jind, yet their history cannot be easily traced here. Most of the famines have occurred in the Narwana and Jind tahsils of the erstwhile Jind State and both these tahsils now comprising the district of Sangrur were, at the time of occurrence, part of the erstwhile princely State of Patiala. The brief history of famines, which visited the district, is given below:

“The earliest famine of which men talk is that of sambat 1840, known as the chalia or chalisa.  This was a terrible famine which lasted for more than two years. The people could not get grin and many lost their lives either from want of grain or from sickness brought on by bad food and most of the people left their homes. The next famine was in Sanbat 1859; it is known as the dhauna or the famine of 20 sers; it lasted for 8 or 9 months. Both harvests failed and the people suffered heavily. The nabia was the famine of Sambat 1890. Both harvests failed, and the price of grain rose to 38 sers kachcha per rupee in the course of the famine, the rate before it having been 4 maunds per rupee Sambat 1905, there was also scarcity in the Jangal tract. The famine of Sambat 1917, commonly called the stahra, was a severe one. Both harvests failed and the rate rose from 3 maunds kachcha to 17 or 20 sers kachcha. Three lakh and thirty-one thousand maunds (pakka) of grain were distributed by the State to its subjects, and Rs 3,75,000 of land revenue remitted in the famine-stricken areas; relief work were also opened. State employees and others were allowed grain at low rates and the value deducted from their pay in instalments after the famine had ceased. The famine of Sambat 1925 was felt throughout the State. It is commonly called the pachia. Though the crops on wells were good, prices rose to 25 sers kachhaa. In Sambat 1934 famine was felt all over the State. No rain fell in Sawan, and there was no crop on unirrigated lands. Collections of land revenue were suspended, but recovered next year. The famine of Sambat 1953 made its effects felt in every part of the State. Rain fell in Sawan, and crops were suspended, but recovered next year. The famine of Sambat 1953 made its effects felt in every part of the State. Rain fell in Sawan, and crops were sown, but dried up for want of rain. The rate rose to 8 sers pakka per rupee. Takavi to the amount of Rs 10,000 was distributed in Anahadgarh and Mohindergarh (now in Haryana). Relief works comprised a kachcha road from Barnala to Bhikhi (now in Bathinda District) which employed 2,312 persons and cost Rs 36,400; repairs to the forts at Bathinda and Ghuram (Rs 4,914); and additions to the mausoleum of Maharaja Ala Singh (Rs 37,800). Grain to the value of Rs 14,864 was distributed and blankets to the value of Rs 7,000.  The American Mission also distributed grain with assistance from the State. In Sunam, a charitable institution (sadabart) fed 80 persons daily. The total expenditure on relief works came to Rs 1,97,830. The famine of Sambat 1956 was severely felt throughout the State, but more especially in Sardulgarh, Narwana, Akalgarh, Sunam, Bhawanigarh and Mohindergarh,. The year was rainless, following a succession of bad harvests, and the grain famine was aggravated by a water famine in Sardulgarh and a fodder famine everywhere. Twenty-eight villages were affected in Anahadgarh, 28 in Mohindergarh and 104 in Karamgarh (also known as Bhawanigarh).

With the improved and increased irrigation facilities, no famine has occurred in the district since the beginning of this century.

 

APPENDIX I

Area under principal crops in Sangrur District, 1973-74 to 1977-78

(Vide Page 107)

(Thousand hectares)

Crops	Year
	1973-74	1974-75	1975-86	1976-77	1977-78
Cereals
Rice	18	26	20	32	53
Jawar	0.4	0.6	0.8	0.5	0.4
Bajra	29.6	31.2	38	34.9	25.6
Maize	69	62	72	68	55
Wheat	280	258	282	308	306
Barley	18.6	37.2	23.1	11.8	10.0
Pulses
Gram	45	38	44	39	36
Mash	2.68	1.01	0.49	0.22	0.26
Moong	2.80	1.67	1.23	0.79	0.91
Massar	0.28	0.24	0.20	0.17	0.18
Oil seeds
Groundnut	28.4	35.3	40.9	42.9	32.6
Rape and mustard	13.2	15.4	13.2	6.6	15.1
Sesamum	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Linseed	0.1	0.1	0.1	(a)	(a)
Other crops
Sugarcane	13	14	12	12	13
Dry Chillies	3.40	2.89	5.0	8.88	4.76
Tobacco	---	--	2	--	---
Potatoes	0.4	0.5	0.3	0.3	0.4
Cotton (American)	3.3	8.0	11.5	7.9	22.9
Cotton Desi	64.5	69.2	68.9	57.3	65.0

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1974 to 1978)

(a) Denotes less than 50 hectares

 

APPENDIX II

Production of Principal crops in Sangrur District, 1973-74 to 1977-78

(Vide page 107)

(Thousand metric tons)

Crops	Year
	1973-74	1974-75	1975-86	1976-77	1977-78
Cereals
Rice	44	47	61	104	186
Jawar	0.2	0.2	0.5	0.4	0.3
Bajra	27	22	32	28	26
Maize	75	1,2	121	88	81
Wheat	693	620	735	750	793
Barley	20	47	33	16	17
Pulses
Gram	35	30	43	32	36
Mash	1.5	0.6	0.2	0.1	0.1
Moong	1.54	0.9	0.7	0.4	0.5
Massar	0.15	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Oil seeds
Groundnut	22	31	35	38	30
Rape and mustard	30	12	8	4	7
Sesamum	---	(b)	(b)	--	--
Linseed	--	--	00.1	--	--
Other crops
Sugarcane	74	75	74	72	86
Dry Chillies	3.74	3.2	4.00	5.1	4.1
Tobacco	---	---	---	---	---
Potatoes	4.9	7.0	4.9	4.6	7.2
Cotton (American)	1.22	2.88	4.23	2.25	6.43
Cotton Desi	106.9	20.70	21.22	17.25	17.16

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1974 to 1978)

(b) Denotes less than 50 metric tons

 

 

 

CHAPTER V

INDUSTRIES

	Contents
Ø	Old—Times Industries and Industrial Development
Ø	State Aid to Industries
Ø	Industrial Training Institutes
Ø	Industrial Estates and Industrial Development Colony
Ø	Sources of Power
Ø	Growth and Development of Industries
Ø	Industries and Manufactures of the District
Ø	Role of Industrial Co-operatives
Ø	Labour and Employers’ Organizations
Ø	Welfare of Industrial Labour

 

 

(a) Old—Times Industries and Industrial Development

Carved out of the four erstwhile Princely States of Malerkotla, Patiala, Nabha and Jind, Sangrur District has been a predominantly agricultural area. Even now (as per the 1971 Census), 80 percent of its population lives in rural settlements. It has also been declared industrially backward by the Government of India.

However, the district has been known in the adjoining areas for some of its handicrafts. Bhadaur was well known for bell-metal cups and brass wares, Sunam for cotton pugris (turbans) and Chautahis, Barnala Tahsil for its earthenwares like chilms, huqqas, surahis and sajjis, Sangrur and Malerkotla for Phulkaris. Sangrur Tahsil was also well known for ornamental work and also for phulkaris and embroidered desi shoes. The Raja of Sangrur, Raghbir Singh, sent a few persons to Calcutta for getting training in goldsmithy. Sangrur, Sunam and Barnala had a number of artisans whose products like wooden carts, wooden boxes, peehris were treasured by the village folk in the adjoining areas. Malerkotla boasted of artistic work of tila and zari, ivory work, brass and copper utensils, khes, durries and embroided desi shoes. It was also known for manufacturing small agricultural implements like tasla, kahi, karahi, tawa and bucket. These articles were sent to places as far as Jaipur and Jodhpur (Rajasthan). The cotton ginning and processing factory was also established at Malerkotla in A. D. 1904. Besides, in Dhanaula, Dhuri and a few other small towns of the district, a number of artisans produced ornaments, wooden carts and ornamental boxes, which were famous in those days. This picture of medieval times persisted long before the advent of British Rule in the Punjab. During the Second World War when there was shortage of iron, steel rerolling mills were established at Malerkotla, Barnala, Sangrur and Sunam to reroll the scrap metal. At Malerkotla, the workers started the manufacture of spares parts of cycles and sewing machines when their imports were restricted due to Second World War. These industries received some setback when a large number of Muslim labour migrated to Pakistan in the wake of partition of the country in 1947. However, this gap was filled up before long. Desi juti and agricultural implements of Malerkotla are still famous. It is the only industrial town worth the name in district, though, a few small-scale industries are also being run at Sangrur, headquarters of the district Barnala, Dhuri, Tapa and Sunam.  So far as the medium and large-scale industries are concerned, the district hardly has anything to boast except for the Markfed Fertilizers and the Malwa Sugar Mills at Dhuri, and the Ganesh Solvex Oil Mills Malerkotla.

 

(b) State Aid to Industries

The Punjab has made tremendous progress in the field of industrial development ever since 1947. It provides a number of facilities and concessions to the entrepreneurs who want to set up new industrial units in the State. Man, machine and money are the three most important requisites for setting up industries or for expansion of the existing units. Out of these three, the district has sufficient man-power and with proper training and motivation, people of the district are capable of fulfilling the man-power needs of the district for its industrialization. However, in respect of money and machinery, co-ordinated and planned strategy is required to develop industries in the district. Unaided efforts in this direction may not produce the requisite results. The Government has, therefore, stepped in to fill up the gap. The State Government has encouraged the setting up of industries/small-scale industries in the State by providing financial assistance under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935[P1] , on easy terms and low rate of interest. The loans advanced under this Act, are recovered in easy instalments extending over four to seven years. The amount of loan granted to the entrepreneur ranges between Rs, 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Apart from this, financial assistance is also available to the small-scale units from the All-India Khadi and Village Board. Nationalized Commercial Banks also advance working capital and other loans to industries for short period. The funds are also available from the Punjab Financial Corporation to the medium and large-scale industrial units for medium and long terms.

The Sangrur District was declared industrially backward in 1970 by the Government of India. Besides the financial concessions/facilities mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, a number of additional financial concessions/facilities are available to entrepreneurs who are going to establish industrial units in the backward district of Sangrur. To set up an industry here, an entrepreneur used to get 10 per cent subsidy before March 1973, which has since been increased to 15 per cent; 33 per cent subsidy for purchase of improved tools and equipments, and subsidy on electricity rate to extent of 25 per cent are also available.

The industries Department has advanced loans in the form of financial assistance to the entrepreneurs in the Sangrur District under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1937, during 1973-74 to 1977-78.

 

The year-wise details of these loans are given in the following table:

Year	Loans		Grant-in-aid and Subsidy
	Units	Amount (Rs)	Number of Units	Amount (Rs)
1973-74	36	1,96,000	---	---
1974-75	32	2,00,000	7	6,000
1975-76	36	2,23,000	21	17,000
1976-77	31	1,99,000	9	7,000
1977-78	47	2,50,000	18	13,000

(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1974 to 1978)

Other measures taken for the promotion of industries in the District are Discussed below:

1. Quality Marking Scheme. – This is another measure taken by the State Government for the growth of small-scale industries in the State. It provides testing and instructive facilities to the industrialists and renders guidance to them in improving the quality of their products and in standardizing the products of small-scale industrial units. The following quality marking centers have been set up in the Sangrur District under the quality marking scheme:

                         i.         The Punjab Government Common Facility Centre, Light Engineering Goods, Malerkotla

                       ii.         Quality Marking Centre, (Engineering Goods), Malerkotla

 

2. Other Organizations for the development of Industries. A number of organizations have been set-up for the development and promotion of industries in the State. These are mentioned as under:

(i) The Punjab State Small Industries Corporation Limited, Chandigarh – This Corporation was created by the Punjab Government in 1962, Primarily to aid, assist, counsel, finance, protect and promote small-scale industrial units in the State. It started with the procurement and supply of essential raw material to the small-scale units. Under the revised policy, firm booking is made by the small-scale industrial units on quarterly basis by depositing an advance of 2^1/2 per cent of the value of the quality booked. The main function of the corporation comprises procurement, storage and distribution of raw material whether indigenous or imported. The distribution is made on first come first served basis. It also helps in the setting up of industries at industrial focal points by providing the necessary infrastructure. Under the employment Promotion Programme, the Corporation is supplying seed money out of the funds provided by the State Government. It also supplies machinery on hire-purchase basis under the scheme known as ‘Supply of Machinery on high-purchase basis under the scheme known as ‘supply of Machinery of Hire-Purchase basis’. The Corporation provides technical guidance to the entrepreneur for setting up new industrial unit. For modernizing existing units, the Consultancy Wing of the Corporation is equipped for necessary counseling. Besides this, under the ‘Marketing Assistance Scheme’, the Corporation helps in marketing the products of the cottage and small-scale industries by providing eatable mark channel and for this purpose it has opened a number of emporia within and outside the State. It has also built 14 ‘C’ type sheds in the industrial estate Malerkotla. No office of the Corporation of functioning in the district. However, the corporation has opened a depot at Malerkotla to supply raw material to the quota-holders.

(ii) The Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Chandigarh. – The Corporation was created in the year 1966 under the Companies Act, 1956 with a view to promoting new medium and large-scale industrial projects in the State. The Corporation generally holds 26 per cent equity shares and management is left to the private entrepreneurs. The medium and large-scale projects set up by the Corporation are not only helpful to the existing small-scale units, but also in the emergence of number of new ancillary units in the small-scale sector.

(iii) The Punjab Financial Corporation, Chandigarh. – It was established in 1953 under the State Financial Corporation Act, 1951 with the object of providing maximum and long-term loans to industrial concerns located in the State. It advances loans between Rs 10 lakh and 15 lakh (Rs 30 lakh in the case of limited/private limited corporation/co-operative societies) to all types of units. In view of the shortage of electric power, the Corporation also advances loans to industries to enable them to purchase their own generating sets. Besides, the Corporation also advances loans to persons holding valid route permits, for the purchase of commercial vehicles.

(iv) The Punjab Export Corporation, Chandigarh[P2] . – 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. In the Sangrur District, the Corporation has helped increasing the export of wooden and handicraft products.

 

(c) Industrial Training Institutes

In the Sangrur District, there is only on Industrial Training Institute for boys at Sunam. It was established in 1977-78. In this institute training in engineering and non-engineering trades is given to the students. Besides, there are 5 Industrial training schools for girls at Sangrur, Sunam, Dhuri, Barnala and Ahmedgarh. In these schools, the students are trained in tailoring, cutting and embroidery. In the industrial Training Schools, Barnala, Punjabi Stenography training is also given. Deserving candidates are given stipends @Rs 25 per month. Apart from these, there are leather Footwear Centre, Handloom Development Centre, and Government Handicrafts Centre, all at Malerkotla and a Rural Artisan Handicrafts training Centre at Barnala.  

The detailed particulars regarding different industrial schools, institutions, and centers in the District are given in the following statement:

Number of seats sanctioned trade-wise during 1977-78

Serial No.	Name and Location of Institute	Years of Duration establishment	Name of trade/course	Number of seats
1	Industrial Training Institute, Sunam	1977-78 Two years	Fitter	32
			Electrician	32
			Turner	12
			Machinist,	12
			Motor Mechanic	12
			Radio & T. V.	16
		One years	Carpenter	16
			Tractor Mechanic	32
			Stenography (Punjabi)	32
			Blacksmithy	16
2	Government Industrial School for Girls, Sangrur	1965 one year	Cutting & Tailoring embroidery	32 16
3	Government Industrial School for Girls, Sunam	1965 one year	Cutting & Tailoring	32
			Embroidery	16
4	Government Industrial School for Girls, Ahmedgarh		1964 One year	32
				16
5	Government Industrial School for Girls, Barnala	1958 One year	Cutting & Tailoring	32
			Embroidery	16
6	Government Industrial School for Girls, Dhuri	1964 One year	Cutting & Tailoring	32
			Embroidery	16
7	Government Footwear Training Centre, Lehragaga	1959-60 One year	Manufacture of Western type shoes	15
8	Shoe-making and leather Goods Training Centre, Dhanaula `	1967-68 one years	Manufactures of fancy leather goods, attache-cases, hand bags, briefcase, ladies purses etc.	15
9	Orientation Footwear Training Centre ,Tapa	1965 Six months	Footwear, further advance training for a period of six months towards the trained scheme	---
10	Government Hide-Flaying and Carcass Utilisation	1970 ----	Bone-meal, meat and yellow	---
11	Government Hide Flaying and Carcass Utilisation Centre, Malerkotla	1972 --	Glove leather, sports lamp shades, bamboo and cane crafts etc.	35
13	Rural Artisan Training Centres, Barnala	…  …	Calico printing, agriculture implements, black-smithy etc.	40

(Source: General Manager, District Industries Centre, Malerkotla)

(d) Industrial Estates and Industrial Development Colony

The Punjab Government decided in 1956-57 to establish Industrial Estate in which built up industrial sheds were to be allotted to be small-scale industrialists on nominal monthly rent. There is an Urban Industrial Estate at Malerkotla with 30 sheds and a Rural Industrial Estate at Sunam with 8 sheds. The detailed information about Industrial Estates in the district is given below:

Industrial Estate Malerkotla. – This industrial estate started functioning in 1962. There are 30 sheds in this industrial estate. Out of these, 10 are ‘A’ type [P3] and 20 ‘B’ [P4] type sheds. The main items manufactured in the industrial estate are: auto-part, cycle parts, agricultural equipments, electric brass lamp holders and clamps, chill rolls, scissors, etc.

Rural Industrial Estate. Sunam. – It was developed by the Industries Department, Punjab, in 1964, with a total cost of Rs 91,990 on 30 acres of land. It is 56 Km from Malerkotla. It has 4 Sheds (2 ‘A’ type, 1 ‘B’ type and 5 ‘C’ type)[P5] . The main industries run in these sheds include, spice ayurvedic medicines, aluminium utensils and bandages.

Industrial Works Sheds. – Besides these industrial sheds, there are 4 rural industrial works sheds functioning at villages Barri (in Dhrui Block), Hamidi (in Ahmedgarh Block.) These were established in April 1969, March 1971, April 1970 and April 1972, respectively. In these sheds, footwear and handloom cottage industries are carried on.

 

(e) Sources of Power

The old-time industries used to run on manual or animal power but the pre-requisite of modern industrialisation is mechanical power and that too in large quantities and at low costs. The various sources of power are; electricity, coal, oil, woodfuel, wind and water. Of these, the main sources are electricity, coal and oil, while the other sources are either scarce or too inadequate to be used for commercial purposes. Wood-fuel is too scarce to serve any useful purpose for industries although it is often used in homes, especially in rural areas, for cooking. Though, there are adequate water channels passing through the district, yet because of uniformly low flat level of ground, it is nowhere possible for water to gain height for generating electricity. However, at a few places along running canals, there are flour mills operated on running water. The newly established Department of Science and Technology in the State is assessing the possibility of making use of wind energy for commercial purposes. This will all depend upon the intensity of wind at different times during the year. Unless, wind intensity reaches a particular minimum it is not possible to exploit wind intensity reaches a particular minimum it is not possible to exploit wind as source of energy. The position regarding possible to exploit wind as source of energy.  The position regarding coal and oil is far from satisfactory. The regions in which coal is available are too far off and its transportation entails heavy cost. The oil production in the country being too small can hardly meet the requirements. Thus, ample supply of electricity can only meet the requirements of industrial expansion. Per –capita consumption of electricity often cited as an index of economic development.

Prior to independence, there were one thermal and one diesel generating plants in the district at Sangrur and Malerkotla. The thermal plant which existed at Sangrur was scrapped and shifted to some other place. The Malerkotla Electric Power Supply Company used to supply electricity to Malerkotla town up to 22 February 1977 and thereafter it was taken over by the Punjab State Electricity Board. The hydro-electric power came to the Sangrur town and three surrounding villages on 25 March 1956.

There is no thermal power plant in the Sangrur District. The supply of hydro-electric power in the district is satisfactory. One grid sub-station with 220 KV capacity is functioning at Sangrur, 12 grid sub-stations with 66 KV capacity at Malerkotla, Dhuri, Katron, Sunam, Lehragaga, Moonak, Ahmedgarh, Bhawanigarh, Longowal, Barnala, Bhadaur and Mehal Kalan and 4 grid sub-stations with 33 KV capacity at Cheema, Amargarh, Dhanaula and Tapa.

The Sangrur District is served by the Sangrur, Bathinda, and Patiala Circle of Punjab State Electricity Board. The Sangrur Circle comprises 4 Electrical Divisions; Tube-Well Division, Sunam; Distribution Division, Sangrur, Distribution Division Sunam; Distribution Division, Sangrur; Distribution Division Sunam; and Distribution division Malerkotla. These are under the administrative control of superintending Engineer, Sangrur Circle, Sangrur, Barnala Distribution Division of the district is served by the Superintending Engineer, Distribution Circle, Bathinda while Distribution Division, Nabha is served by the Superintending Engineer, distribution Circle, Patiala.

The number of towns/villages electrified in the district, as on 31 March 1978, was 721. This implies that the whole the District was electrified in number of units consumed by these industrial concerns in the district, during 1973-74 to 1977-78 is given below:

(Source: Superintending Engineer, Distribution Circle, Sangrur and Executive Engineer, Distribution Division, Barnala)

 

(f) Growth and Development of Industries

The Sangrur District was carved out of the areas of four princely states, viz. Patiala, Nabha, Jind and Malerkotla, while the district includes parts of Patiala, Nabha and Jind states; ant Malerkotla state was added to it in to. It was predominantly an agricultural tract. Two railway lines. Since there were only cottage industries at various places in the district, the district was selected by the Government of Rural Industries Project in 1962 to bring it on the industrial map of the State. To start with, the project was confined to four development blocks: Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh, Dhuri and Sangrur. The Project proved successful and it was extended to the entire district on 11 January 1972. Techno-economic survey of the district was conducted in 1972-73 to fined out the difficulties faced by the existing industries and to assess the industrial potential of the district.

The traditional industries of the district produced goods like embroidered desi juti, phulkari, bell metal cups, brasswares, gold and silver ornaments, wooden carts, wooden box and peehris. Malerkotla boasted or artistic works of tila and zari, brass and copper utensils khes durries and embroidered desi juti and small agricultural implements. These articles were exported even to Rajasthan. Survey instruments were also being manufactured at Malerkotla. The Maharaja of Jind for promoting industries in the State sent a batch of goldsmiths to Calcutta and number of carpenters of Rookee (UP) to learn the crafts. When iron became scarce during the Second World War, re-rolling mills were established at Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh, Barnala, Sangrur, and Sunam to re-roll scrap metal. This industry, however, received a set back when a large number of Muslim artisans migrated to Pakistan in the wake of the partition of the country in 1947. This gap was however filled up by the local labour in the due course. The State Government, after the achievement of independence, decided to give facilities for setting up small-scale industries in the State. The Government of India’s Industrial Policy of 1956 also envisaged the industrial set up for country. Small-scale industries were offered a number of incentives. As a result of these policies, the registered industrial units in the district showed an upward trend. By the end of 1977-78, there were three medium and large-scale industries and 2,300 small-scale working units and 722 village industrial units and more than 2,500 un-registered units in the district. The items of production include cycles, sewing machine parts, chill rolls, re-rolling mills, A.C.C/R.C.C pipes, centrifugal pumps, paper, nuts and bolts electric, motors and capacitors. Zinc sulphate and the traditional industries like desi jutis, blacksmithy, carpentary, weaving, etc.

 

(g) Industries and Manufactures of the District

There are three units in the large and medium sector, and 3,022 registered small-scale/cottage units in the district. The details of these are given below:

(i) Large and Medium – Scale Industries

(1) Sugar. – Keeping in view the fact that no sugar mill was functioning in the Malwa area and sugarcane, its basic raw material, was available in abundance, a unit in the large-scale sector was established at Dhuri in 1956. Its total capacity of production is 92,000 quintals of sugar and 40,000 quintals of molasses per annum; its capital investment is Rs 107.48 lakh. Its produce is marketed throughout the country. It gives employment to 666 persons during the season and to 251 during the off-season.

(2) Fertilizers. – Keeping in view the huge demand for fertilizer in the area, this medium-scale unit was established in 1973 by the Punjab State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (popularly known as MARKFED,) Chandigarh, with capital investment of Rs 95,03,479 to produce N.P.K. 15:15: 7^1/2 (MARKFED KHAD). Its annual capacity of production is 42,000 metric tons. Its produce is marketed to the co-operative marketing societies and private Markfed Khad licence holders in the district. During 1977-78, it gave employment to 97 persons.

(3) Iron and Steel. – Keeping in view the fact that there was no such unit previously functioning in the area, Century Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd., Malerkotla, a medium-scale unit was set up in 1977. On the other side, there was big demand for its establishment because the raw material was easily available. Its annual capacity of production is 18,000 metric tons; the capital investment is Rs 86,31,000. Its produce is marketed generally in northern States of India. It provides employment to 153 persons.

 

(ii) Small-Scale Industries

Large and medium-scale industries may not utilize all available resources for industrialisation nor it is possible for all entrepreneurs to possess the huge capital to set up large and medium-scale industries. In backward areas, where raw materials are found in small quantity and, people do not have sufficient capital for investment, small-scale industries have a significant role to play. The range of products which can be products which can be produced by small-scale units is so large that any person who has initiative and some capital, can set up one small-scale unit or the other. Different small-scale industries set up in the district are described below:

(1) Agricultural Implements. – There were, in 1977-78, 432 units engaged in the production of agricultural implements in the district. They produced improved agricultural implements like fertilizer-cum-seed-drills, maize threshers, wheat threshers, disc harrows, and ploughs. Although the industry is concentrated mainly at Malerkotla yet there are some units at Dhuri, Tapa, Barnala, Bhawanigarh, Sangrur, etc. During 1977-78, it produced goods worth Rs 58.96 lakhs and was employing 904 persons. The goods produced by this industry are marketed throughout the State and in the adjoining State as well.

(2) Cycle Parts. – In 1977-78, there were 98 units engaged in the production of cycle parts like carrier, stand, fork, etc. Most of these units are located at Malerkotla. Its basic raw material includes iron bars. During 1977-78, the industry produced goods worth Rs 120.84 lakhs and was employing 746 workers.

(3) Re-rolling Mills. – In 1977-78, there were 15 re-rolling mills engaged in re-rolling steel in the district. This industry is located at Malerkotla, Barnala, Sunam, Dhuri, and Ahmedgarh. During 1977-78, it produced goods worth Rs. 230.60 lakhs and 302 persons were in its employment.

(4) Power Capacitators. – The only unit engaged in the production of voltage control sets was located at Malerkotla during 1977-78. It produced goods worth Rs 0.22 lakh and was employing 9 persons.

(5) Electric Motors. – During 1977-78, only one unit was engaged in the manufacture of electric motors in the district. It was located at Barnala. It produced goods worth Rs 0.65 lakh and 4 persons were in its employment.

(6) Auto-parts. – During 1977-78, 14 units were engaged in the production of auto-parts in the district. This industry produces kamani, chill-rolls tractor parts, etc. Most of the units engaged in the production of auto-parts, are concentrated at Malerkotla. During 1977-78, it produced goods worth Rs 4.20 lakhs and 42 persons were in its employment.

(7) Sewing Machine Parts. – Forty-four units were engaged in the production of sewing machine parts in the district during 1977-78. The industry produces sewing machine parts like bobbin binder, etc. Most of the units are located at Malerkotla. During 1977-78, this industry produced goods worth Rs 15.28 lakhs and was employing 316 persons.

(8) Diesel Engine and Parts. – There were 52 units engaged in the production of diesel engine parts during the year 1977-78. This diesel etc. During 1977-78, the industry produced goods worth Rs 31.50 lakhs and was employing 176 persons.

(9) Centrifugal Pumps Parts. – 18 units were engaged in the district during 1977-78, in the production of centrifugal pumps and parts. This industry produced goods worth Rs 2.32 lakhs and was employing 38 persons in the same year.

(10) Cold Storage and Ice. – During 197-78, there were 22 units functioning in the district. In 1977-78, these units produced ice and preserved fruits and vegetables worth Rs. 9.88 lakhs and were employing 83 persons.

(11) Rice Shellers. –There were 26 rice shellers in the district during 1977-78. These units are located mainly at Sunam and Barnala. During 1977-78, these produced goods worth Rs 736.85 lakhs and were employing 254 persons.

(12) Sports Goods. -- In 1977-78, there were 5 units engaged in the production of sports goods in the district. This industry is located mainly at Malerkotla and produces rackets, hockey sticks, bats etc. During 1977-78 the industry produced goods worth Rs 8.30 lakhs and was employing 21 persons.

(13) Soap Making. – In 1977-78, there were 40 units engaged in the production of washing soap and detergent. These units are located mostly in the urban area. This is an industry which does not require huge and complex machinery. Only bug utensils like karaha, tanks and mould patterns and a big bhathi are required. During 1977-78, it produced goods patterns and a big bhathi are required. During 1977-78, it produced goods worth Rs 53.60 lakhs and was employing 138 persons.

(14) Electroplating. – Fifteen units engaged in this industry in the district during 1977-78. The industry is located mainly at Malerkotla. In 1977-78 these units did electroplating work worth Rs 10.01 lakhs and were employing 64 persons.

(15) Electrical Fittings. – During 1977-78, there were 4 units engaged in the production of various electric goods such as plugs, switches and other electrical fitting goods in the district. During 1977-78, these units produced goods worth Rs 18.30 lakhs and were employing 62 persons.

(16) Cement Pipes jallies. – There were 18 units engaged in the production of cement pipes and jallies during the year 1977-78 in the Sangrur District. Cement jallies are required for installing in buildings for ventilation purposes. This industry, during 1977-78, produced goods worth Rs 11.10 lakhs and was employing 50 persons.

(17) Powerlooms (Cotton). There were 10 units during 1977-78 which produced cotton cloth worth Rs 7.29 lakhs and were employing 67 person only.

(18) Paper Mill. – In 1977-78, there was only 1 unit engaged in the production of paper at Sangrur. It produced paper worth Rs 17.48 lakhs and 79 persons were in its employment during the same year.

(19) Printing Press. – During 1977-78, 23 units were engaged in the printing of stationery etc. in the district which did printing work worth Rs 6.63 lakhs and were employing 67 persons.

(20) P.V.C. Products. --- Eleven units were engaged in the production of P.V.C. pipes, footwear and domestic goods in the district during 1977-78. These units are located mainly at Dhuri. During 1977-78, these units produced goods worth Rs 11.16 lakhs and were employing 43 persons.

(21) Squashes. – In the 1977-78, there were 3 units engaged in the preparation of squashes, pickles and murabba etc. at Malerkotla and Barnala. These units were employing 6 persons and produced goods worth Rs 1.79 lakhs during 1977-78.

(22) Candles. – There were 15 units engaged in the production of wax candles during 1977-78 in the district. These units were located mainly at Barnala, Sangrur and Malerkotla. During 1977-78, these units produced candles worth Rs 3.35 lakhs and were employing 58 persons.

(23) Sodium Silicate. – Two units were engaged in the production of silicate goods during 1977-78 in the district. These units are located at Barnala and Ahmedgarh. This industry produced gods worth Rs 3.35 lakhs and was employing 58 persons during 1977-78.

(24) Medicines. – There were 2 units engaged in the production of allopathic and ayurvedic medicines during 1977-78 in the district. These are located at Malerkotla and Sangrur respectively. These units produced medicines woth Rs 1.2 lakhs and were employing 24 persons during 1977-78.

(25) Fire Bricks. – During 1977-78, there were 2 units engaged fire bricks in the district. Both are located at Malerkotla. This industry produces superior bricks which are used for the construction of bhathi and chimney of a factory. During 1977-78, it produced bricks worth Rs. 4.60 lakhs and was employing 74 persons.

(26) Safes and almirahs. – During 1977-78, there were 19 units engaged in the production of safes, almirahs, racks etc. in the district. These goods are required for domestic and office use to keep the goods properly and safely. This industry produced goods worth Rs 15.21 lakhs and was employing 68 persons.

(27) Biscuits. – Four units were engaged in the production of Biscuits and other bakery items at Malerkotla and Sangrur. During 1977-78, these units produced goods worth Rs. 0.50 lakhs and were employing 12 persons.

(28) Hosiery. – There was only 1 units, in 1977-78 engaged in the production of hosiery goods, viz. socks, sweaters, etc. at Malerkotla. It produced goods worth Rs 1.20 lakhs and was employing 5 persons.

(29) Fitting of Metallic Pipes. – There were 13 units engaged in the production of fitting of metal pipes during; 1977-78 in the district. These units are located mostly at Malerkotla and Barnala. During 1977-78, these units produced goods worth Rs. 13.68 lakhs and were employing 80 persons.

(30) Fabricated Metal Products – In 1977-78, there were 162 units engaged in the production of metal goods in the district. This industry is located largely at Malerkotla and produces trunks, paties, doors, shutters etc. During 1977-78, it produced goods worth Rs 79.91 lakhs and was employing 510 persons.

(31) Wooden structure and Furniture. – During 1977-78 there were 96 units engaged in the manufacture of wood furniture in the district. This industry is scattered all over the district. It produced goods worth Rs 17.79 lakhs and was employing 331 persons.

(32) Pig Iron and Casting. – There were 10 units engaged in this industry during 1977-78. These were engaged in casting of sewing machine stands, sanitary pipes and water pump parts etc. the units were located mostly at Malerkotla. These units produced goods worth Rs 12.92 lakhs and were employing 63 persons.

(33) Nuts and Bolts. – Nuts, bolts, rivets and nails manufacturing is an important industry in the district and is located largely at Malerkotla. These are required by all engineering as well as other industries and in the construction of buildings. In 1977-78, there were 12 units in the district. This industry produced goods worth Rs 4.38 lakhs and was employing 39 persons.

(34) General Hardwares. – General hardwares manufacturing in an important industry in the district. It is located largely at Malerkotla. It produces door-springs, belts, fastners, scissors, kanghi, sangal, kandi washers, grease, etc. During 1977-78, there were 116 units in the district. In the same year, this industry produces goods worth Rs. 47. 501 lakhs and was employing 379 persons.

(35) Aluminium Utensils. In 1977-78, there was 1 unit engaged in the manufacture of aluminium utensils at Malerkotla in the district. In the same year, it produced utensils worth Rs 0.60 lakhs and was employing 6 persons.

(36) Dhoop. – Only 2 units were engaged in the industry during 1977-78 which were employing 4 persons and it produced goods worth Rs 37,000.

(37) Zinc Sulphate. – During 1977-78, there was 1 unit located at Dhuri engaged in the production of chemical fertilizer in the district.  In the same year, it produced fertilizer worth Rs 7 lakhs and was employing 4 persons.

(38) Chill Rolls. – In 1977-78, there were 13 units engaged in the production of chill-rolls in the district. These are used in rolling mils. During 1977-78, this industry produced goods worth Rs 55.25 lakhs and was employing 83 persons.

(39) Tractor Trollies. – In 1977-78, there were 25 units engaged in the production of tractor trollies in the district. This industry is fast expanding because the use of tractor is on the increase. During 1977-78, this industry produced goods worth Rs 27.40 lakhs and was employing 75 persons.

(iii) Cottage and Village Industries

 Cottage and village industries play an important role in the economic uplift, particularly of the weaker section of the society. Government is laying much stress on developing these industries by providing training and loan facilities especially for 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 important cottage and village industries existing in the district are handloom weaving, leather tanning, leather gods including shoe-making, sports goods, bullock carts, gur and khandsari and agricultural implements. A brief description of these is given below. 

40)  Leather Shoes. – In 1977-78, there were 669 units in the district engaged n this industry located mainly at Malerkotla and Sangrur. During 1977-78, these units produced desi juti shoes, etc. and employed 1,342 persons. It produced goods worth Rs 6.63 lakhs.

41)  Bullock-Carts. – Making bullock-carts still exists in the district. These are used by the small farmers to carry load for short distances. In 1977-78, there were 89 units, located mostly at Hadiaya and Dhuri in the district. These units produced bullock-carts worth Rs 15.j90 lakhs and were employing 172 persons.

42)  Handlooms. – There were 260 units in the district of this industry during 1977-78 which produced cotton cloth worth Rs. 3.20 lakhs and was employing 256 persons.

43)  Gur and Khandsari. – In 1977-78, there were 3 units engaged in gur and khandsari industry, which produced goods worth Rs. 3.20 lakhs and was employing 256 persons.

44)  Cotton Ginning, Oil Crushing and Atta Chakki. – During 1978-79, there were 284 units of this industry located at various places in the district, mostly at Tapa, Dhuri, Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh. During 1977-78, these units employed 1,869 persons and produced goods worth Rs 1,168.48 lakhs.

45)  Wooden Works. – In 1977-78, there were 105 cottage and village industrial units engaged in the production of wooden goods, viz. wooden doors, bullock-carts, wooden boxes, etc. in the district. In the same year, these units produced goods worth Rs 14.65 lakhs and were employing 205 persons.

46)  Repair Workshops of Diesel Engines, Electric Motors and Agricultural implements. – In 1977-78, there were 79 units engaged in repairing of diesel engines, tractor engines, electric motors, radios, etc. to meet the local needs of the people in the district. These units were employing 101 persons.

47)  Ban Making. – There were 37 units engaged in the this industry in the district during 1978-79. It was employing 37 persons and produced goods worth Rs 3.50 lakhs.

48)  Pottery. – During 1977-78, 756 units were engaged in the industry in the district: it was employing 937 persons and produced goods worth Rs 75.60 lakhs (approx).

49)  Edible Oil and Soap. – During 1978-79, only 39 units were engaged in this industry which was employing 152 persons, and produced goods worth Rs. 55.20 lakhs.

50)  Village Oil Industry. – Eighty-Four units were engaged in this industry in the district during 1978-79. These provided employment to 1,748 Persons and produced goods worth Rs 117 lakhs.

 

(h) Role of Industrial Co-operatives

 

The main aim of industrial co-operatives is to give employment to weaker sections of the society on the basis of which industrial societies are organized for artisans. Poor artisans with meager money unite together and form an industrial co-operative society. On 30 June 1978, there were 491 industrial societies in the Sangrur District, out of which 34 societies were of handloom industries, 266 of khadi and village industries, and 191 were small-scale societies. Small-scale societies located mostly at Malerkotla, ahmedgarh, Barnala, Sangrur, Sunam, Dhuri, Tapa, Bhawanigarh, etc. are engaged in manufacturing spare parts of the sewing machine, and jallis, plastic goods, steel fabrication and domestic hardware goods, steel and wooden furniture 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. Industrial co-operative societies organization has changed and improved the economic condition of the artisans. Thus, this is the only organization which has enlightened the artisans and played an important role in the development of various industries.

 

Particulars regarding the industrial co-operative societies in Sangrur District during 1977-78, are given in the following table:

Name of the Industry	Number of Industrial Co-operative Societies	Membership	Value of goods produced
Handloom Industries	…         34	922	45,000
Khadi and village Industries	…       266	2,626	33,82,000
Small-Scale Industries	…       191	1,575	77,55,000

(Source: Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Sangrur

The industrial co-operative in the State were under the Co-operative Department upto April 1963, when they were transferred to the Industries Department. In June 1974, these were again put under the Co-operative Department. The Industrial Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Ludhiana, was incharge of the industrial co-operative Societies, Sangrur District, and is assisted by fur Assistant Registrars Co-operative societies  posted at Sangrur, Barnala, Sunam and Malerkotla.

The amount of loans and subsides given by Government to the industrial co-operative societies in the Sangrur District during 1973-74 to 1977-78 is given below:

Particulars	Year
	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Loans advanced	10,000	15,000	20,000	10,000	45,000	5,000
Subsidies given.	1,888	2,389	1,780	1,319	1,880	800

 (Source: Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Sangrur)

Following table shows progress made by the industrial co-operative in the district, during 1973 to 1978:

Particulars	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Number of Industrial Co-operative Societies	334	355	404	419	383	381
Membership	4,489	4,692	4,925	5,722	5,047	5,103
Share capital (Rs in lakhs)	16.53	16.96	16.30	16.40	19.01	19.60
Particulars	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Working Capital (Rs in lakhs)	34.45	34.94	36.31	36.63	42.09	61.48
Production (Rs in lakhs)	42.82	59.47	80.51	73.28	82.54	112.49
Sales (Rs in lakhs)	42.11	58.53	78.86	73.96	80.30	99.35

(Source: Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Sangrur)

 

(i) Labour and Employers’ Organizations

Labour Organisation. – For a long time, a worker has been treated as a poor man always in need of some work for sustaining himself and his family. Rich employees have invariable treated him in a condescending manner. It was uncommon to think that a worker should work for a fixed number of hours what to say of measures for his welfare. In fact, exploitation of the worker had become an accepted norm in the society and any one talking of any reform in wages or working environment for the workers was viewed with suspicion. In course of time exploitation of workers led to dissatisfaction which occasionally found expression in strikes and stoppages or work. On the whole, the life of workers in the erstwhile princely states was worse than that of his counter parts in the former British territory.

For a considerable time, trade unions were regarded as illegal bodies and their members were rendered liable to punishment. But in spite of all the hardships against the trade unionists, they continued their efforts which ultimately led them to success and economic purpose, in so far as they were ment for settling wages and bringing about harmonious relations between capital and labour.

The primary function of the trade union is to promote and protect the interests of its members. Welfare activities like organizing mutual benefit societies, co-operatives, employment assistance, libraries, games and cultural programme have been recognized as normal activities of a trade union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926. Since the independence of the country in 1947, there has been considerable growth of trade union movement in the Sangrur 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 the Appendix at the end of this chapter at page 164.

The benefit collective bargaining through trade unions is, however, available to the worker only in the organized sector. The workers in the unorganized sector as the term itself suggests, have not been able to organize trade unions even though the number of workers in the unorganised sector is quite large. Agricultural workers in rural areas, in construction industry, and in brick kiln industry are among the largest segments of unorganised labour. There are many other employments which are seasonal and local in character where the worker do not benefit from trade unions. It is gratifying to not that Government has organized handicaps of the unorganised labour and initiated various measures of the welfare of workers in the unorganised sector, especially for agricultural workers, construction workers and labourers working in brick-kilns.

Manufacturers Associations. – There is no manufacture’s association in the district.

 

(j) Welfare of Industrial Labour

Welfare of industrial labour is mainly to two types, viz. statutory and voluntary. In the first type fall those concessions which are required to be provided by law. The other type of concessions amentities are those which are provided voluntarily by the management on humanitarian grounds or other allied and varied reasons. Industrialization in India commenced in the middle of the nineteenth century, when there were no statutory provisions for labour welfare. Consequently, the workers were forced to work in dingy and unhygienic conditions on meager salaries with long working hours. These factors severely affected efficiency of the workers. It was only after the World War I (1914-18) that the problem of labour welfare was seriously thought of. With the appointment of the Royal Commission in 1931 and of other allied committees constituted from time to time, problems of labour welfare were more seriously looked into. After independence, more and more stress was laid on labour welfare. Statutory provision regarding fixed working hours, hygienic conditions, fixed salaries, provision of crèche, etc. have substantially contributed to the welfare of the labour. Provisions of canteens, sports and games and other allied concessions are provided voluntarily by enlightened managements for development of cordial relations between the employees and employers.

There are 60 per cent seasonal industrial units in the Sangrur District, mainly at Malerkotla. Economic condition of workers of these units is not good and government is making efforts to improve their economic condition. One balwadi centre has been set up by the Labour Department, Punjab at Malerkotla for the wards of industrial workers. In this balwadi centre are enrolled worker’s children from 3 to 6 years of age. Two Labour Welfare Centres are also being opened at Malerkotla and Sangrur.

 

 

APPENDIX

List of Registered Trade Unions in Sangrur District during 1978

Serial No.	Name of Trade Unions	Date of Registration
1	Punjab State Tubewell Association c/o Kartar Singh Aulakh V. & P.O. Kupkalan, Tahsil Malerkotla	19-12-68
2	Sangrur Central Co-op. Bank Employees Union, Sangrur	8-3-73
3	District Sangrur Municipal Employees Union, Dhuri	6-8-60
4	Zila Sahkari Saktra Sangh c/o Kashmira Lal Tea State, Lehragaga, District Sangrur	30-4-74
5	Municipal Services Union, Railway Road, Ahmedgarh	13-3-68
6	District Safai Mazdoor Union c/o District Congress Committee, Sangrur	….
7	Malwa Milk Plant Workers Union Sangrur c/o Shri Mohan Lal, H. No. 156, Ward No. 11, Dhuri	13-12-77
8	Malwa Sugar Mill Workers, Unions Dhuri	25-8-56
9	Dhuri Sugar Labour Union, Dhuri	11-4-66
10	Malwa Sugar Mill Employees Union H. No. 189 Ward No. 3 Near Railway Hospital, Dhuri	15-1-73
11	Malwa Sugar Mill Mazdoor Dal, Dhuri	14-6-74
12	Markfed Fertilizer Workers Union, Dhuri	9-6.75
13	District Labour Union, Malerkotla	23-10-78
14	District Engg. Workers Union, Malerkotla	3-1-64
15	Imari Labour Union c/o Karnail Singh, mandi Road Patti bajwa, Barnala	16-3-71
16	Vishkarma Impart Mazdoor Union c/o District Congress  Committee, Sangrur	20-10-75
17	District Trade Employees Union, Dhuri, c/o Ramesh Chand Jain, Ward No. 5, Dhuri	3-2-76
18	Rickshaw Workers Union, Barnala, H. No. 206, Mohalla Guru Nanak pur, Barnala	3-2-76

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