MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

BOARDING HOUSES.

THERE WERE 20 BOARDING HOUSES in the two towns. They were located in ward No. X in Chiplun and ward Nos. II, III and IV in Ratnagiri. The total employment in them, both at Chiplun and Ratnagiri was 189, out of whom 136 including four females and 38 children were paid employees and 53 including nine children and six females were owners and their family members. Six samples, three in Chiplun and three in Ratnagiri were chosen but only three establishments in Ratnagiri furnished the necessary information.

These establishments in the sample were started in 1938, 1947 and 1950 respectively and provided employment throughout the year to the owners, who raised the initial capital from their own resources. The value of the equipment, which mostly consisted of utensils required for cooking and furniture varied from Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 10,000 per shop. Each establishment spent between Rs. 70 and Rs. 250 per year on repairs of furniture or on purchase of new utensils. The articles remained serviceable for a period of between 10 and 15 years. The total capital invested in them was between Rs. 300 and Rs. 8,000.

Two establishments were situated in rented premises and one was housed in owned premises. Rent paid by them was Rs. 60 and Rs. 75 per month, respectively. They spent Rs. 40 and Rs. 25 respectively per month on electricity and paid Rs. 11 and Rs. 14 respectively per year as municipal licence fee or tax. One of them spent Rs. 25 as water charges. The third one did not spend either on electricity, or on water but paid Rs. 10 per year as hotel tax. One establishment spent Rs. 100 per year on advertisement. One of them was managed by the owner and the other two had 28 employees. They were paid between Rs. 15 and Rs. 30 each per month as wages. In addition to wages, each was served two meals a day.

These establishments in the sample were vegetarian and served meals and rice plates to customers. The value of raw materials consumed by them was between Rs. 100 and Rs. 3,500 per month. The establishment with a bigger size charged eight annas for an ordinary rice plate, twelve annas for a special rice plate and one rupee for a meal. Rates for a regular customer varied between Rs. 30 and Rs. 35 per month.

These establishments served local people as well as those who visited Ratnagiri town. Their business was brisk during April and May. The margin of profit they made was just enough to maintain them. One of the establishments was running at a loss. They complained that the rise in prices of commodities and lack of sufficient rice quota have reduced their profit margin. Lack of capital was another hurdle in the way of further development of business.

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