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MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS
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GOLDSMITHY
In all seven establishments were surveyed. All of them were hereditary. Sale and manufacture of gold and silver ornaments was their principal occupation and moneylending was undertaken as a side business. They raised their capital requirements from their own resources.
The establishments are found to be scattered all over the
district. The occupation demands high degree of skill on the
part of an artisan which he can acquire only through years of experience.
Tools and Equipment.
The tools and equipment required are anvils, bellows, hammers, pincers, pots, crucibles, moulds, nails, etc., and machines like press, wire and plate machine and furniture such as cup-boards, benches, desks, etc. The cost of equipment varies from shop to shop.
Almost all of the establishments surveyed were situated in owned premises. The one which was situated in rented premises paid Rs. 10 as rent.
The 1961 Census showed 883 persons as employed in this occupation in the district of whom few were employees. Many establishments were run on a proprietary basis. The capital investment varied from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 40,000, consisting of gold and gold bullions, silver ornaments, furniture, and readymade gold ornaments of gold.
Gold Control Rules.
The Gold Control Rules promulgated under the Defence of
India Act have come into force since 10th January 1963. The
Rules in the initial stages prohibited all dealings in gold and making of new ornaments of gold with a purity of more than 14 carats. These rules have seriously disturbed the occupation by putting a considerable number of goldsmiths out of employment and leaving the shroffs idle. The habit of buying gold is widespread in the country, the demand for gold being for traditional purposes such as for marriages as well as for hoarding and speculation. The age-old habits and the demand for gold ornaments are hard to change. Gold ornaments of a purity permissible under the Rules are thus hardly in demand. A number of goldsmiths are gradually taking to other occupations. The Government is taking steps to rehabilitate the goldsmiths by providing facilities for training them in other crafts and extending financial assistance to them. The recent amendment in the Gold Control Rules makes provision for the remaking of existing gold ornaments. This is expected to provide employment to the members who have not vet been able to shift to other occupations.
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