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MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS
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GOLD-SMITHS AND SARAFS
The total number of establishments falling in this category was
about 183 in the towns of Satara and Karad at the time of survey.
In Satara, 27 establishments were situated in Ward No. V; 16 and. I8
in Words No. III and VI respectively and 15 in Wards No. I, II, IV.
Out of 77 establishments in Karad, 67 were situated in Guruwar
and Raviwar peths and the remaining in Somwar and Shukrawar peths. The total employment in these establishments was 301,
of whom 34 were paid employees. Most of the shops in Satara
were managed by owners with the help of their family members.
Six establishments, two each from the three towns, Satara, Karad and Phaltan were surveyed. Four establishments out of six surveyed
were hereditary and the remaining two were started in 1949 and 1952
respectively. Manufacture and sale of gold and silver ornaments was the
principal occupation in these shops and money lending was a subsidiary
occupation which provided them employment throughout the year. All establishments except one, in Karad raised the initial capital from their own resources. The one in Karad
which had borrowed the initial capital was found to be indebted at the time of the survey. The total investment in them varied from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 4,00,000.
Tools and equipment in these shops consisted of anvils, bellows, hammers, pincers, pots, crucibles, moulds, nails, etc., and machines like press, wire and plate machines and a few pieces of furniture like cupboards, desks, etc. The cost of equipment varied from shop to shop. It was between Rs. 600 and Rs. 15,000.
Four establishments in Karad and Phaltan were situated in owned premises and the remaining two from Satara in rented premises. The rent of these two was Rs. 27 and Rs. 30 respectively. Besides rent, these establishments paid water and electricity charges and wages of labour. Their expenditure on all these items except wages varied between Rs. 20 and Rs. 40 per month.
The total employment in these shops was 30, of whom 9 were paid employees. In Karad and Phaltan their wages varied from Rs. 30 to Rs. 45 per month, and in Satara from Rs. 25 to Rs. 40 per month.
The materials required included gold and silver and chemicals for purifying and polishing these metals. The amount spent in purchase of these metals cannot be arrived at, as no relevant information was supplied by the establishments concerned.
The total value of stock of bullion, gold and silver ornaments varied from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 15,000 in Karad and Phaltan. It was nearly Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 8,000 in respect of the two shops surveyed in Satara. Sometimes they brought ready-made ornaments from Kolhapur and sold them in their shops. All articles were sold directly, in the local market. The business, which was brisk during winter and summer, was profitable to almost all shops.
Orders were received directly from customers. Generally metals like gold and silver were supplied by the customers themselves. The goldsmiths carrying business on small scale could not afford to keep stock of these precious metals.
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