AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

RURAL WAGES

The casual labourers are employed only in agricultural season when there is a heavy work load. The workers are generally paid in cash though in a few cases payment is made in kind. The wages are paid to labourers on week ends especially on bazar day so that they can purchase their requirements.

Wages paid to casual labourers vary according to the nature of work. Men labourers are usually paid higher wages as corn-pared to those paid to women or child labourers. So also workers involved in heavy and skilled manual work are paid at higher rate. Thus the worker driving tifan is paid between Rs. 3 and Rs. 4 per day. The work of harvesting and threshing requires some degree of skill as these operations are to be finished within a certain specified period. This situation leads to greater demand for the skilled hands. In some parts of the district, workers are employed on contract oasis as in ease 01 picking of cotton. Similarly groundnut and jowar crops are harvested an contract basis. On many occasions, harvesting and threshing operations and tying bundles are entrusted to labourers for which [hey are paid Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per acre, this amount varies according to place and season of operation. The labourers favour contract system as they get continuous work and higher rate of wages.

The following statement shows the average agricultural wage rates prevailing at Borgaon, Ausiugi and Chohatta in the years 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Annual servants or saldars. The landlords and the persons who have large holdings employ annual servants or saldars throughout the year The saldar is entrusted practically with, all the agricultural work The contract of service is for one year but it is renewed every year and he is given, in addition to his salary, a pair of dhoti, a shirt, a dupatta etc., by the landlord. So far as payment in cash is concerned the amount varies between Rs. 300 and Rs. 500 per year which is paid in instalments. The amount varies as per the nature of work and place and the ability of the saldar. Where the system of intensive farming is practised, the amount of wages ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 per annum.

Balutedars. The village artisans or balutedars could he regarded as the part and parcel of the social frame work of the villages, especially agricultural operations. These artisans are paid a fixed payment generally in kind for all the work done during the year. Although this system is on the verge of dis appearance, it prevails in the farms of big landlords and cultivators. The balutedars now demand their payment in terms of cash. They include carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers and barbers. The commodities given on account of payment to balutedars are jowar, wheat, pulses, etc., generally at the time of harvest. The rate of wage is generally linked with a pair of bullocks owned by the cultivator, e. g., a carpenter repairing implements gets about 36 kg. of jowar for every pair of bullocks.

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