MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

MATTRESS AND PILLOW MAKING

Mattress and pillow-making shops are generally found in big towns. Though cotton is the important commercial crop in the district, the agriculturists in the rural parts of the district do not generally use mattresses and pillows. The use of the latter is confined to a few landlords and some well-to-do people. They are purchased either in big towns or got prepared from the ferivalas. In towns it is the principal means of livelihood of many persons, especially those belonging to the Muslim community.

Most of the establishments in this category are of medium size. A well-established shop has a spinning machine, a big weighing machine Taraju weights and big needles as its equipment. The raw material consists of cotton cloth, etc., of different varieties. The ferivalas who move from house to house possess only the carding bow. The cost of the equipment of a medium-sized establishment varies from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,200. The initial investment required for purchasing machine, weights, taraju, etc., amounts to Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500. Most of the establishments are managed by the owners and their family members. The major items of expenditure are rent and electricity charges wherever power machines are used. The amount spent on these items varies from Rs. 20 to Rs. 60 per month.

The products consist of mattresses, pillows, razais, etc. The labour charges are on piece basis and depend upon the size of the mattress. The occupation provides business throughout the year.

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