MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

FLOUR MILLS

In the beginning flour mills worked on diesel or crude oil-engines. With the introduction of electricity, electric motors are installed in place of oil-engines though the latter are still prevalent in rural areas Some flour mills undertake the dehusking and polishing of rice and crushing of pulses. Most of the villages have one or two flour mills. The establishments in towns are found housed in rented premises, the rent ranging between Rs. 13 and Rs. 50 per month.

According to the Census of 1961, the number of persons engaged as millers, pounders, huskers and parchers in the district was 1,558, of which 1,250 were males and the rest were females. Most of the mills are one-man establishments, but in a few cases in the towns one or two workers are employed.

Stone-grinders, belts, electric motors or oil-engines comprise the main equipment of a flour mill. The cost of this equipment varies from Rs. 3,000 for a small-sized establishment to Rs. 6,000 for a big-sized establishment. Various types of pans, screw-drivers, etc. are required as tools, while crude oil, electricity, grease, etc. are required as motive power and lubricants. The cost of power varies from Rs. 65 to Rs. 300 per month, which depends upon the size of the establishment. The prices charged for grinding are generally the same all over the district.

The net income of a flour mill ranges between Rs. 350 and Rs. 600 per month. The business of flour milling is brisk during the marriage season and also during festivals such as Divali, Ganeshotsav, Pola and Shimaga.

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