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MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS
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FLOUR MILLS
In the past when flour milling machines were not known women used to grind grains with the help of grinding stone in the early dawn. The establishment of flour mills has practically led to the disappearance of the grinding stone except at a few places in the district where no flour mill is located. Even
then people staying in such places go to the nearest town or village and get their grains milled.
The following census figures show the fluctuating trend in the employment opportunities provided by flour milling units over a period of last 40 years. |
Year |
Total |
Males |
Females |
Names of occupations as stated in respective Censuses |
|
1921 |
473 |
25 |
448 |
Rice pounders and huskers, flour grinders
(actual workers) | |
1931 |
347 |
192 |
155 |
Rice pounders, huskers. Hour grinders and grain parchers, etc. |
|
1951 |
336 |
332 |
14 |
Millers of cereals and pulses. |
|
86 |
70 |
16 |
Hand pounders of rice and other persons engage1 in manual de-husking and flour grinding. |
|
1961 |
1,064 |
985 |
76 |
Millers, pounders, huskers, and parchers of grains and related food workers. |
Of the 1,064 persons engaged in flour milling units in 1961,
410
(360 males, 50 females) belonged to the urban areas of the district.
The survey revealed that most of the flour mills were small in size generally meeting the needs of the customers residing in the nearby localities. The flour mills generally undertook grinding of cereals and in some cases, grinding of pulses, chillis, turmeric, crystal sail, etc. Husking and parching of grains was also undertaken.
Most of the surveyed units worked on electric motors but oil-engines were used where electricity was not available.
The tools and equipment of a flour mill comprised electric motor or oil-engine, grinders, belts, balances, etc., the cost of equipment varying from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,500. The fixed capital of a small unit, on an average, was found to be Rs. 4,000.
Most of the flour-mills were one-man establishments and the proprietor of the mill used to do all the work. However, where the proprietors appointed one or two employees they were paid about Rs. 60 per month.
It was found that five small flour mills earned between Rs. 200 and Rs. 300 per month. Most of the units were established in rented premises, the average rent being Rs. 10 per month.
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