APPENDIX V

Railway Goods Traffic in Sangrur District, 1977-78

	Monthly average traffic			Monthly average earnings
S. No.	Station	Outward (Qts.)	Inward (Qts.)	Passengers (Rs	Parcels (Rs)
Ludhiana-Dhuri-Jakhal-Hissar Line
1	Ahmedgarh	64,929	25,187	5,30,132	4,37,643
2	Rohira Halt	…	…	…	…
3	Kup	…	…	…	…
4	Malerkotla	6,77,592	2,88,360	5,52,456	1,48,477
5	Himtana	…	…	…	…
6	Dhuri	8,74,698	3,42,889	79,39,726	9,68,322
7	Bahadur Singh Wala	…	…	…	…
8	Sangrur	1,17,326	1,79,391	5,44,579	9,31,431
9	Bharur	…	…	…	…
10	Sunam	8,12,111	2,49,754	69,52,402	23,01,190
11	Chhajli	1	185	…	…
12	Gobindgarh Khokhar	…	…	…	…
13	Lehragaga	12,000	4,000	65,590	84,591
14	Gurne	…	…	…	…
	Bathinda-Ambala Cantt. Line
1	Tapa	30,842	16,000	3,40,450	3,519
2	Ghunas Halt	…	…	…	…
3	Hadiaya	59	705	6,181	7,709
4	Barnala	92,163	68,828	11,27,777	36,39,710
5	Sekha	…	…	…	…
6	Alal	660	…	2,472	…
7	Rajo Majra	…	…	…	…
8	Dhuri	8,74,698	3,42,889	79,39,626	9,68,322
9	Kaulseri	…	…	…	…

(Source: The Station Masters)

APPENDIX VI

Dak Bungalows, Inspection Bangalows and Rest Houses in Sangrur District, as on 31 March 1978

Serial No.	Place	No. of Suits	Reserving Authority
	Tahsil Sangrur
1	Sainik Rest House, Sangrur	7	Secretary, Zila Sainik Board, Sangrur
2	P.W.D. (B & R), Rest House, Sangrur	4	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (B&R). Sangrur
3	Zamindara Rest House, Sangrur	7	Secretary, Market Committee, Sangrur
4	Zamindara Rest House, Bhawanigarh	2	Secretary, Market Committee, Bhawanigarh
5	Canal Rest House, Nadampur	2	2 Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.) Sangrur
6	Canal Rest House, Longowal	2	Ditto
7	Canal Rest Hose, Sheron	2	Ditto
	Tahsil Barnala
8	P.W.D. (B&R), Rest House, Barnala	4	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (B&R), Barnala
9	Canal Rest House, Sehna	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B). Bathinda
10	Canal Rest House, Kaire	2	Ditto
11	Canal Rest House, Patti Daraka	2	Ditto
12	Canal Rest House, Hadiaya	2	Ditto
13	Canal Rest House, Harigarh	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B), Sangrur
14	Canal Rest House, Pandheran	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.), Bathinda
15	Canal Rest House, Dadahur	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.), Bathinda
16	Canal Rest House, Dadahur	2	Ditto
17	Canal Rest House, Bazidke	2	Ditto
18	Canal Rest House, Kurer	2	Ditto
19	Zamindara Rest House, Barnala	4	Secretary, Market Committee, Barnala
20	Canal Rest House, Badra	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.), Sangrur
21	Zamindara Rest House, Tapa	3	Secretary, Market Committee, Tapa
	Tahsil Malerkotla
22	P.W.D. Rest house, Malerkotla	4	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (B&R) Malerkotla
23	Zamindara Rest House, Malerkotla	4	Secretary, Market Committee, Malerkotla
24	Zamindara Rest House, Dhuri	2	Secretary, Market Committee, Dhuri
25	Zamindara Rest House, Ahmedgarh	4	Secretary, Market Committee, Ahmedgarh
26	Canal Rest House, Babanpur	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.) Bathinda
27	Canal Rest House, Babanpur	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B.), Sangrur
28	Canal Rest House, Mahorana	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B), Patiala
29	Canal Rest House, kalian Kothi	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B), Patiala
	Tahsil Sunam
30	P.W.D. Rest House, Lehragaga	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (B&R), Sangrur
31	Zamindara Rest House, Lehragaga	3	Secretary, Market Committee, Lehragaga
32	Zamindara Rest House, Nilowal	2	Secretary, Market Committee, Lehragaga
33	Canal Rest House, Nilowal	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B), Lehal, Patiala
34	Canal Rest House, Dialpura alias Sangatiwala	3	Ditto
35	Canal Rest House Gujran	2	Ditto
36	Canal Rest House, Khanal Kalan	2	Ditto
37	Canal Rest House, Sangatpura	3	Ditto
38	Canal Rest House, Kotra Lehlan	3	Ditto
39	Canal Rest House, Dhulad	3	Ditto
40	Canal Rest House, Phulera	2	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. (I.B), Lehal, Patiala
41	Canal Rest House, Phulera	3	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. Lehal, Patiala
42	Canal Rest House, Khanauri	2	Executive Engineer, Bhakra Main Line, Patiala
43	Canal Rest House, Rorewala	3	Executive Engineer, P.W.D. Lehal, Patiala

(Source: District, Statistical Officer, Sangrur)

APPENDIX VII

Post Offices in Sangrur District, as on 31 March 1978

Head Post Office	Branch Post office
1 Sangrur, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Bardu Khan 2 Bahadarpur
	3 Balian
	4 Chatta Sekhwan
	5 Duggan
	6 Gagarpur
	7 Gurusar Mastuana
	8 Hermitage
	9 Kheri
	10 Mangwal
	11 Mehlan
	12 Ubhawal
	13 Upli
Sub-Post Office
1 Ahmedgarh Sub-Office, combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Jandali Khurd
	2 Mohali Kalan
	3 Chural Kalan
	4 Dehla
	5 Dudian
	6 Dhindsa
	7 Lehal Kalan
	8 Rai Dhirana
	9 Rampura Gujran
Head Post Office	Branch Post Office
4 Amargarh, Sub-Office, Combined Office Public Call Office	1 Bathan 2 Chaunda
	3 Dhadogal
	4 Jati Majra
5 Barnala Sub-Office, Combined Office-Public Call Office	1 Bazidke Khurd 2 Bhadal Wadh
	3 Chuhanke Kalan
	4 Karamgarh
	5 Raisar
	6 Sanghera
	7 Thirkiwala
	8 Pharwahi
6 Barnala Kuchery, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office, Delivery from Barnala
7 Bhadaur, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Jangiana 2 Talwandi
8 Bhawanigarh, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Aloarkh 2 Balad Kalan
	3 Bhatiwal Kalan
	4 Batriana
	5 Chano
	6 Gharachon
	7 Kakra
	8 Kapial
	9 Majhi
	10 Nadampur
	11 Nagra
	12 Sakrodi
9 Chhajli, Sub Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 PishoriBhaika 2 Chhahar
	3 Gandhwan
	4 Gobindgarh Khokhar
	5 Kauhrian
	6 Lad banjara
	7 Mojowal
	8 Nangla
	9 Rogla
	10 Ugrahan
10 College Road Barnala, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Delivery from Barnala
11 Dhanaula, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Offaice	1 Bhaini Jassa 2 Bhathlan
	3 Dangarh
	4 Harigarh
	5 Kaleke
	6 Kattu
	7 Kot Duna
	8 Pandheran
12 Dhuri, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Badshahpur 2 Bamal 1
	3 Bani Bhauri
	4 Barawal
	5 Bhalwan
	6 Bhasaur
	7 Bhallarheri
	8 Bhojowali
	9 Changli
	10 Ghanaur Khurd
	11 Ghanaur Klan
	12 Harchandi pura
	13 Jhalur
	14 Kaheru
	15 Kumbharwal
	16 Mulowal
	17 Rajo Majra
	18 Rampur Chhavan
	19 Sekhai
	20 Rangian
13 Dirba, Sub-Office, Public Calls Office	1 Gujran
	2 Jalan
	3 Khadyal
	4 Khanal Kalan
	5 Khetla
	6 Mauran
	7 Sular Gharat
14 Hadiaya sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Dhaula 2 Dhurkot
	3 Kahneke
	4 Khudi Kalan
	5 pakho Kalan
	6 Rureke Kalan
15 Hospital Road Sangrur, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Delivery from Sangrur H. O.
16 Industrial Area Malerkotla, Non-Delivery, Town sub-Office, Delivery from Malerkotla
17 Ladda, Sub-Office	1 Benra
	2 Hussainpura
	3 Qila Hakiman
	4 Kanjhala
	5 Punnawal
	6 Saron
18 Lal Bazar Malerkotla, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Delivery from Malerkotla
19 Lehragaga, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public call Office	1 Bhutal Kala 2 Daska
	3 Gidrani
	4 Gobindpura Jawaharwala
	5 Ghoranab
	6 Haryau
	7 Phulera
	8 Sangatpura
20 Longowal Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Badbar 2 Balian
	3 Baini Mahraj
	4 Namol
	5 Saron
	6 Sahoke
21 Malerkotla, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Pubic Call Office	1 Ban Bhaura 2 Bhogiwal
	3 Bhurthala
	4 Gowara
	5 Haidar Nagar
	6 Hathan
	7 Himtana
	8 Hussainpura
	9 Khanpur
	10 Kup Kalan
	11 Lasoi
	12 Manvi
	13 Mubarakpur
	14 Rurki Kalan
	15 Saraud
22 Mahal Kalan, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Chananwal 2 Chhiniwal
	3 Chhapa
	4 Kalal Majra
	5 Kurau
	6 Mahal Khurd
23 New City Sunam, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Delivery from Sunam
24 New Grain Market, Sangrur, Non Delivery, town Sub –Office, Delivery from Sangrur H. O.
25 Pakki Khanori, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Andana 2 Bhulan
	3 Mandvi
26 Sehna, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Cheema 2 Jodhpur
	3 Nainewala
	4 Pakhoke
	5 Sandhu Kalan
27 Sangrur, Sub-Office	1 Bhudap
	2 Fatehgarh
	3 Jhuheri
	4 Khurd
	5 KanganPur
	6 Mohamadpur
	7 Manki
28 Sherpur, Sub-Office	1 Guram
	2 Hamidi
	3 Herike
	4 Kheri Chahlan
	5 Nangal
	6 Thulewal
	7 Tibbai
29 Sunam, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Bakashiwala 2 Cheema
	3 Dharamgarh
	4 Jekhepal
	5 Jharon
	6 Khadial
	7 Kilowal
30 Sunam City, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office
31 Sangrur, Kuchery, Non-Delivery, town Sub-Office, Delivery From Sangrur, H.O.
32 Sangrur Road Dhuri, Non-Delivery, Town Sub-Office, Delivery from Dhuri
33 Tapa, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office,	1 Dhilwan 2 Ghunas
	3 Mauran
	4 Tajoke
	5 Ugoke
34 Talweal, Sub-Office	1 Bhakhatgarh
	2 Bhotna
	3 Bihla
	4 Chak Bhaike
	5 Dewana
	6 Gehal
	7 Moom
	8 Ramgarh
35 Bagrian, Combined Office	Moolabada
36 Nabha, Sub-Office, Combined Office, Public Call Office	1 Bhatian Khurd 2 Kandhargarh
	3 Mimsa

(Source: Senior Superintendent, Post Office, Patiala Division, Patiala)

APPENDIX VIII

Combined Post and Telegraph Office in the Sangrur District as on 31 March 1978

1) Ahmedgarh

2) Akalgarh

3) Amargarh

4) Barnala

5) Barnala Kuchery

6) Bhadaur

7) Bhawanigarh

8) Chhajli

9) Dhanaula

10) Dhuri

11) Hadiaya

12) Lehragaga

13) Longowal

14) Malerkotla

15) Mahal Kalan

16) Pakki Khanauri

17) Sangrur

18) Sehna

19) Sular Gharat

20) Sunam

21) Sunam City

22) Tapa

(Source: Senior Superintendent, post Offices, Patiala Division, Patiala)

CHAPTER VIII

MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

	Contents
Ø	Public Administration
Ø	Learned Professions
Ø	Personal and domestic Services
Ø	Miscellaneous Service

The principal of economy, viz., agriculture, industry, trade and transport provide means of livelihood to a large majority of the population. They do not, however, cover the whole field of economic activity. There is an appreciable percentage of the population which activity. There is an appreciable percentage of the population which earns its livelihood by following small crafts and other occupations such as haircutting, tailoring, laundry, education, legal services, etc. a brief account of certain selected miscellaneous occupations, not mentioned elsewhere in this Gazetteer, is given in the this chapter. The statistical data pertain to the Census of 1961 as the same are not available in the 1971 Census due to classificational changes brought by the Census Department. However, wherever possible, latest data have been included. The data pertaining to the sections ‘Personal and Domestic Services’ and ‘Miscellaneous Services’ have been collected through various municipal committees in the district.

(a) Public Administration

Central, State and Local Government Services. – Occupations connected with the public administration are vital to the smooth running of civic activities in the district. With the increase in population the Government-Central and State – have taken up various developmental projects/schemes, for the welfare of the people. More and more departments/offices are being established to look after these activities. As a result of this expansion, the number of persons entering Government service is also increasing. On 31 March 1978, there were 18,008 Punjab Government employees working in various offices of the State Government. Besides, a good number of employees were working in the Central Government, and in quasi-Government offices in the district.

More and more people are opting for Government service because it is relatively secure, besides making one entitled to benefits such as the family pension on death, pension on retirement, gratuity, general provident fund, medical reimbursement, casual and earned leave. Married female Government employees are entitled to full-pay maternity leave for up to three children. Government loans are also available to its employees for the purchase of vehicles and for the purchase/construction of houses. Free liveries are provided to Class IV employees. The Central Government employees are entitled to avail themselves of Leave Travel Concession, alongwith members of the family, to visit any place in the country in the block of four years.

Public Employees Organisations. – The following public employees’ organisations which exist in the district have been formed by the employees to look after their interests:

1. Sangrur Central Co-operative Bank Employees; Union, Sangrur

2. District Sangrur Municipal Employees’ Union, Dhuri

3. Municipal Services Union, Railway Road, Ahmedgarh

4. District Trade Employees Union, Dhuri

(b) Learned Professions

The learned professions include teaching, medical, legal, engineering, etc. the information in respect of their role in the district is given below:

Teaching. – With the increase in the number of educational institutions in the district, job opportunities in the teaching profession have also increased. As a result, more and more persons are adopting teaching as a profession. As per Census of 1961, there were 3,672 persons working as teachers in the district. On 30 September 1977, 3,061 (2,143 males and 918 females) teachers were working in 858 schools of all categories. Besides, 214 persons were working as teachers in the 9 colleges in the district in 1977-78.

The college lecturers are paid the scales approved by the University Grants Commission (U. C. G.). Their present scale of pay as recommended by the U.G.C. is 700-40-1300 (Assessment) 1600. The school level teachers in the district are being paid as per the recommendations of the Second Pay Commission. The pay scales of various categories of school teachers as recommended by the Second Pay Commission are:

School Lecturer Rs 700-1300

D.P.E. Rs 700-1200

B.A.B.ED. Rs 620-1200

J.B.T. Rs 480-880

Medical. – The medical profession has become more popular during the last fifty years or so. There has been considerable increase in the number of medical practitioners and consultants during this period as the people have become more conscious about their health. There are doctors, physicians and surgeons, dentists, nurses, etc. working in various hospitals and dispensaries in the district. Doctors are also running their private clinics and nursing homes.

There were, as on 1 January 1978, 300 doctors, 145 midwives, 91 nurses and 600 dais, working in 97 allopathic medical institutions in the district. Besides, 32 Vaids, 3 Hakims, 26 Up-Vaids, and 32 Trained dais were also working in 32 Ayurvedic/Unani medical institutions.

Legal. – Persons opting for legal profession are mostly concentrated in urban areas of the district. The legal profession is manned by judges, barristers, advocates and munshis. It is a high-income occupation and attracts a number of persons who render legal assistance to the people. According to the 1961 Census, the number of legal practitioners and advisers in the district was 174. On 31 March 1978, there were 5 bar associations functioning at Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkotla, Sunam and Dhuri with membership of 262 lawyers in the district.

Engineering. – People are also adopting engineering as a profession because it is highly technical in nature and is well paid. details of the persons employed in engineering services in various Government Departments have been given in Chapter XIII ‘Other Departments’. Besides, a good number of persons have adopted the profession of contractors and architects or consulting engineers. According to the 1961 Census, the number of overseers, architects, engineers and surveyors in the district was 198 which rose to 283 on 31 March 1978.

Artists, Writers, Musicians and related Workers. – According to the 1961 Census, the number or artists, writers, musicians and related workers in the district was 583.

(c) Personal and domestic Services

These services include barbers, washermen, launderers, tailors, water-carriers, weavers, cobblers, carpenters and the like which employ a considerable number of persons. The services provided by persons of these categories are no doubt of an essential nature, but the number of persons employed in these services has decreased over the years. This is attributable to two factors --- people’s preference for quality service, and low-paid persons’ preference for other skilled or semi-skilled jobs which are more remunerative.

Barbers. – Earlier in rural areas the barber used to render services to the villagers on regular basis on a sort of contract for which he was paid in kind at the time of harvest; in some villages the practice does continue but with better terms in favour of the barber. In urban areas he used to visit houses of his clients daily and he was paid a fixed amount per month. But now this practice is fast disappearing. The barber also acts as a messenger on occasions of marriages and deaths. The wife of the barber called nain does some sort of periodical hair-cleaning and hairdressing of the women folk of the families to which the barber (nai) is attached.

In urban areas of the district, the hairdressing saloons/shops are becoming popular. Some of them are provided with modern equipment for haircutting the hairdressing, besides the radio-sets magazines, fans, comfortable, chairs, etc.

The number of barbers including hairdressers, beauticians and related workers in the district, according to the Census of 1961 was 1,370.

Washermen. – Washermen or dhobis from an important occupational class in the society. Their occupation, especially in the urban areas, has been adversely affected with the emergence of drycleaning shops. However, in rural areas their job has not gone under any major change. He goes from house to house and collects, clothes for washing. After washing and pressing he returns and clothes to the concerned persons. In urban areas, however, the people have to go to the shop personally to de posit the clothes with the drycleaner and again to collect them. Their charges are generally higher than that of the washerman. The added advantage of the dry cleaning shops over the washerman is that the former can wash any kind of clothes—cotton, woolen, silken, etc. whereas the latter can wash only the cotton clothes.

As per the Census of 1961, there were launderers, dry cleaners and pressers in the district.

Tailors. – The tailor is indispensable unit of the society as it fulfils the primary need of the community to attire it according to its taste and fashion. While those in rural areas, prepare ordinary types of clothes worn by the villagers, the tailors in urban areas prepare clothes according to the taste and fashions prevalent in towns and cities. Well-to-do persons, high income professionals and college students opt for quality stitching even if they have to pay more. If a tailor has been trained abroad or by a well-known expert, his charges for stitching will be higher as compared to those charges by other tailors. The stitching charges in urban areas are higher as compared to rural areas.

Most of the tailors have their own sewing machines and work independently. There are also some big tailoring concerns which get the work done of commission basis. In rural areas, the old practice of darzi (tailor) going to different houses for stitching the clothes on the occasion of marriage is being done away with.

The total number of tailors, cutters, furriers and related workers in the district, according to the 1961 Census, was 4,865,

Carpenters. – The carpenters make and repair wooden structures, doors, windows, chairs, and other building fixtures. The village carpenters make ploughs, carts, and other agricultural and domestic articles.

According to the 1961 Census, the number of carpenters, jointers, cabinet makers, coopers and related workers in the district was 4,696.

Cobblers. – The cobblers or mochis recondition oldwornout or defective footwears to make them serviceable. The experienced leather cutters, lasters and sewers make complete footwears like shoes, chappals and sandals. Some of them have small establishments, but their business in the district has been adversely affected in recent times with the availability of mechanized footwears manufactured in large factories.

According to the 1961 Census, the number of leather cutters, lasters and sewers, shoe-makers and shoe repairers in the district was 7,151 as per the Census of 1961.

Self-Employed Persons. – In this category of employment are included weavers, shoe-makers, potters, sweepers, handcart-pullers, porters at railway stations and bus stands, etc. They are spread over the district, but at Malerkotla proper and in the adjoining villages they are found in plenty.

Domestic Services. – The Practice of employing domestic servants, both in urban and rural areas in still in vogue. However, since a few years, the number of domestic servants has been decreasing. The persons of mediocre means now find it difficult to afford domestic servants. Some of the house-holds, which used to keep domestic servants on permanent basis, have started engaging part-time servants. These part-time servants work as utensils cleaners, washermen/washerwomen and malis (garden), etc. the wages of domestic servants in whole-time employment are Rs 30 to 50 per mensem in addition to free meals and clothing.

In urban areas, female domestic servants (malis) are engaged for fulltime or part-time employment. Generally, women belonging to poor families adopt this profession to supplement their income. They are employed to do specified jobs such as washing of clothes or sweeping of houses or cleaning of utensils, etc. such part-time female servants are paid Rs 20 to 30 per mensem in addition to sundry facilities provided by their employers.

According to the 1961 Census, the total number of house-keepers, cooks maids and related workers in the district was 1,432.

(d) Miscellaneous Service

Transport Service. – Transport plays a vital role in the economic and social life of the people. After independence of the country, transport services have enormously improved. Every village, in one way or the other, has been connected with the main roads or railway stations of the district. On 31 March 1978, there were 44 registered private transport companies operating in the district, besides the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation with depot at Sangrur. In addition to the bus service, the modes of transportation like taxis, rickshaws, scooter-rickshaws and tongas also render such services. The number or rickshaw-pullers in the district according to 1961 Census, was 160, which rose to 1,325 on 31 March 1978.

CHAPTER IX

ECONOMIC TRENDS

	Contents
Ø	Livelihood Pattern, General Level of Prices and Wages and Standard of Living
Ø	Employment Situation
Ø	Planning and Rural Development

(a) Livelihood Pattern, General Level of Prices and Wages and Standard of Living

Livelihood Pattern. – Sangrur is a predominantly agricultural district with 80 per cent of its population living in rural settlements. It is one of the backward districts of the State. Industrially too, it has been declared backward by the Government of India.

According to the 1971 Census, 31.32 per cent 98.80 per cent males and 1.20 per cent females) of the population of the district is engaged in various economic pursuits as against 28.87 per cent of the State. Compared to other district in the States, Sangrur as the highest percentage of males participating in the work force. Out of the total work force of the district, 74. 3 per cent are engaged in agriculture including livestock rearing, forestry etc., 7.7 per cent in industry, 6.5 per cent in trade, 1.6 per cent in transport, 1.6 per cent in construction and 8.3 per cent in other services.

On the basis of the economic activity pursued, the workers are further classified into 9 industrial categories as under:

Classification of Workers in Sangrur District according to the 1971-Census

Number of Persons according to the 1971 Census

Classification of workers according to profession.	Rural		Urban		Total
	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Persons
1 Cultivators	1,71,413	250	11,329	57	1,82,742	309	1,83,051
2 Agricultural labourers	67,228	181	6,109	130	73,337	311	73,648
3 Livestock-keeping, forestry fishing, hunting, plantations, orchards and allied activities	9,308	35	835	9	10,143	44	10,187
4 Mining and Quarrying	44	1	---	--	44	1	45
5 Manufacturing, processing, servicing and repairs
(a) Household industry	13,253	358	1,958	93	15,211	451	15,662
(b) Manufacturing other than household industry	2,766	259	8,691	81	11,457	340	11,797
6 Construction	3,529	69	2,058	6	5,587	75	5,662
7 Trade and Commerce	7,997	22	15,335	88	23,332	110	23,442`
8 Transport, Storage and communications	1,686	2	3,871	60	5,557	62	5,619
9 Other services	14,496	751	12,916	1,864	27,413	2,615	3,028
Total Workers	2,91,720	1,930	63,103	2,388	3,54,823	4,318	3,59,141
10 Non workers	2,07,110	4,12,994	61,157	1,06,248	2,68,267	5,19,242	7,87,509
Total Population	4,98,830	4,14,924	1,24,260	1,08,636	6,23,090	5,23,560	11,46,650

(Census of 19712, Series 17- Punjab, Parts X- A & B, Sangrur District Census, Handbook, pp. 93-95)

The table indicates that out of the total population of 11,46,650 of the district, 3,59,141 were engaged in various types of economic activities, whereas the number of non-workers was 7,87,509. The ratio of workers to non-workers was 31.3:68.7 as against the corresponding ratio of 28.9: 71.1 for the State. In other words, there were, for each worker, more than two persons dependent for their livelihood.

To accelerate the pace of development in rural areas, especially to create better living conditions, the Model Village Scheme was introduced in the State during 1969-70. The Scheme envisaged the round development of a Model Village with regard to pavement of streets, construction of drains, metalling of approach roads construction of phirnis (roads encircling the villages) and laying of kitchen garden.

In the Sangrur District, 73 villages were selected under the Model Village Scheme, and work in the all these villages has been completed.

In order to make further improvement in the living standard of rural India, the Government of India have launched Integrated Rural Development Programme from 1978-79. At the instance of Government of India, the State Government have launched this Programme in the State. Under this programme, a cluster of 5 contiguous villages has been selected in each block in which agricultural production will be increased by 50 per cent and local resources would be fully developed to provide full and gainful employment to the people within a period of five years. In due course, more and more villages will be covered under this programme. These clusters will ultimately become focal growth-centres and the cluster-based process of development will extend to the entire rural areas in the State.

Briefly, the main objectives of this programme are to provide full employment and better standard of living by increasing farm production and by creating more opportunities of employment and higher level of income for all sections of rural community. Under this programme, extension staff has also been provided for educating the rural people about modern farm practices.

Among other things, the housing pattern also reflects the standard of living of the community. The provision of cheap and decent housing accommodation is the basic necessity of human life in civilized society. Most of dwellings in the urban areas of the district are pukka in which bathroom and latrine facilities are available. Houses in the modern colonies provide for al amenities of life. In the rural areas, the dwellings are mostly kutcha and in these, there is no provision of modern facilities.

According to the 1971 Census, the total number of households in the district was 1,88,299 (rural 1,46,087 and urban 42,212). The number of persons per household was 6.01. The break-up of the households, classified by number of members and by the number of rooms, is given in Appendix I, on page 240.

Prices and Wages. – The level of prices has bearing both on the real income and the standard of living of the people, because it is not the money income but the purchasing power thereof that matters.

Before the advent of railways and construction of roads, prices in India were governed by custom and status. There were big variations in prices from place to place and from season to season at the same place. But later on when the isolation of the Indian village was broken, India came in contact with the rest of the world through international trade and the word factors began to intervene in Indian prices.

The major portion of the present Sangrur District was a part of the erstwhile Jind State. The prices in this State were comparatively lower than those in the British Punjab. Average price of the chief staple food-grain for the 10 years ending 1903 in Sangrur District were as under:

Foodgrains	Prices
Wheat	17
Gram	22`
Barley	26
Maize	23
Dhan (Coarse-rice)	17
Pulses (Mung)	16
(Urd)	13

(Punjab States Gazetteers Vol. XVII A- Phulkian States, 1904 Patiala, Jind and Nabha, P. 284)

The rise in prices gathered momentum thereafter, especially during the First World War (1914-18). The failure of rains in 1918-19 and 1919-20 accentuated the situation and prices reached their highest leveled in 1920 However, there was a downward trend during 1920-29 on account to policy of deflation followed by al the countries. This was followed by the Great Depression of 1929-33 when the price level fell further. India suffered more because it was an agricultural country and the prices of agricultural commodities fell more than those of the industrial goods. In 1931, the prices actually fell below the 1913 level, and these lowest in 1934.

Further like other parts of the country, the Sangrur District was also affected adversely by the break out of the Second World War in 1939. Just after the declaration of war, prices of both primary and manufactured goods shot up.

With the partition of the country in 1947, the situation became still worse. The rice in the post-Independence period in India started in 1956 with the commencement of Second Five-Year Plan. The situation further deteriorated with the Chines aggression in 1962 and the Indo-Pakistan conflicts of 1964 and 1971. Since the corresponding increasing in production and real national income during the period was of a much lower order than the increase in money supply, there was inevitable rise in prices. The wholesale price index went up from 120.5 (base 1952-53 =100) to 125 in 1961-62 and 165 in 1965-66, an increase of over 78 per cent in ten years. During the decade 1965-75, there has been continuous and accelerating erosion of the purchasing power of money throughout the world. The value of the Indian rupee fell from 100 to 42 during the same period. Inspite of the best efforts of the Government prices are still rising.

The table below gives comparison of consumer price index for the working class in the Sangrur District between the period from 1974 and 1978: -

(Base 1960 =100)

Year	1974	1974	1976	1977	1978
Index	200	210	212	214	221

(Source: District Statistical Officer, Sangrur)

The index number of the retail prices given above for the last five years indicates upward trend of the prices. The table below indicates the fluctuating trend in the wholesale prices of the main agricultural commodities in the district between the years 1967 and 1977-78:

(per quintal)

	Wheat (Rs)	Gram (Rs)	Maize (Rs)	Jowar (Rs)	Barley (Rs)
1967-68	40.28	85.87	62.02	74.20	65.73
1977-78	115.94	85.57	99.80	106.00	90.25

(Source: District Statistical Abstract of Sangrur, 1973-74 and District Statistical Officer, Sangrur)

Wages. – Wages are the remuneration paid to a worker in lieu of the work done by him. The wage policy has been envisaged in the Constitution of India. In Article 38 of the Constitution, the principal of ‘equal pay for equal work’ for both men and women has been laid down as one of the Directive Principles. Article 43 provide that the State shall endeavour to secure through legislation or economic organization or in any other way, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life, and full employment of leisure, and social and cultural opportunities.

Of al labour problems, that of wages is the most complex. During early days, the wages of the agricultural and industrial labour were determined by custom and tradition. Now these are determined by the industrial policy of the Government which id formulated in the light of natural resources, availability of labour force, productivity, industrial competition, labour efficency, etc. The wages level is influenced mainly by price –variations on account of fiscal policies and other subsidiary factors like the rise in demand, shortage of seeds insufficient production, etc. Labour welfare is a factor very much relevant to the wage policy. When compared with welfare measures that assure better living conditions, in respect of health, safety, housing education, recreation, social security, etc. the guarantee of reasonable remuneration provides the firmest basis for harmonious industrial relations and, therefore, lead to economic development administration prosperity of the country. The payment of satisfactory wage ensures co-operation of labour and enables him to give his best in the cause of national development.

The wages paid to agricultural and skilled labour are paid in cash. Besides, meals and tea are also served. The table below indicates the payment of wages in the district, during the period 1974 to 1978 to the agricultural and skilled labour:

Year	Agricultural labour (Rs)	Skilled labour Black Smith/ Carpenter (Rs)
1974	8.27	14.46
1975	10.21	15.25
1976	9.50	15.50
1977	9.42	16.08
1978	9.60	20.83

(Source: District Statistical Officer, Sangrur)

The rates of pay fixed per day/per month for different types of labourers/workers engaged in Government employment in the Sangrur District, during 1977-78, are given in Appendix II on pages 241 to 243.

Standard of living. – Standard of living refers to the amount of necessaries, comforts and luxuries, which a person avails. However, these are relative terms and differ from place to place, from time to time and from person to person.

One popular method of knowing the standard of living is to fine out the items of income and expenditure, that is, to adopt the method of formation and analysis of family budgets. Besides, income and expenditure of a family, the standard of living depends on two factors, viz. the size and composition of the family and tastes and preferences of the members. The other method to judge the standard of living of the people is to measure the economic prosperity of the district in monetary terms in relation to fluctuations in price level.

The Economic and Statistical Organisation, Punjab, conducted a survey regarding family budget of 32 cultivators in the State during the year 1977-78. The aim of the survey was to fine out the returns accruing to the farmers for their work on the holdings. These families of three villages, viz., Mangewal (Tahsil Sangrur), Mardkhera (Tahsil Sunam) and Mehal Kalan (Tahsil Barnala) in the Sangrur District were selected for the survey.

The findings of the survey pertaining to income and expenditure are shown in the following table:

Name of family/village	Net income from all sources (Rs)	Net expenditure (Rs)	Surplus /deficit (Rs)
Mangewal	15,533.24	8,805.58	6,727.66
Mardkhera	25,687.17	12,990.67	12,596.50
Mahal Kalan	11,413.18	9,116.83	2,296.35

The above figures show that these families in the Sangrur District have surplus budget. The survey also shows that on an average, a peasant proprietor’s family in the Punjab spent 60 per cent of its income on food, 13 per cent on clothing, 12 per cent on education, 2 per cent on medicine, 1 per cent on social and 2 per cent on amusements and luxuries.

The goods consumed by these families were as under:

Name of family/villages	Total expenditure (Rs)	Supplied by the farm (Rs)	Percentage	Purchased from outside (Rs)	Percentage
Mangewal	8,805.58	5,138.83	70	2,666.75	30
Mardkhera	10,990.67	7,953.17	72	5,037.50	28
Mahal Kalan	9,116.83	4,621.48	51	4,495.35	49

In 1977-78, the per capita income of the Sangrur District at the then current prices was Rs 2,042 as compared to Rs 1,962 for the Punjab State as a whole. It is an indicator of the standard of living of the people residing in the district.

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