MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

BLACKSMITHS, CARPENTERS AND SHOE-MAKERS

These are the traditional balutedars of the rural economy who still survive in a less recognised form. In villages these artisans are directly connected with the farmers during their agricultural operations. They are paid partly in cash and partly in kind according to their services. But with the passage of time the balutedari system is gradually disappearing and wherever it exists there is a tendency to make payment in cash rather than in kind.

In urban areas big shops of shoe-makers are found. They prepare a variety of footwear for men, women and children. However they have to adjust their work to the changing fashions in their products. In urban areas they earn about Rs. 75 to Rs. 150 per month. These shops are very small in rural area and run the business in the traditional way. Most of the rural shoe-makers follow agriculture as a subsidiary occupation. A cobbler requires as tools and equipment anvil, rapi, hammer, nails, leather sewing machine, blades, thread etc., the cost of which varies between Rs. 400 and Rs. 550.

The carpenter requires two saws, wakas, patashi, nails, scale etc., the price of which varies between Rs. 100 and Rs. 150. The daily wage of a carpenter, if employed, varies between Rs. 5 and Rs. 10. Moreover they also undertake business independently on contract basis.

The blacksmith requires bellows, anvil, hammers, files, wrenches, spanner, pliers, etc., for his occupation. The blacksmith, in the rural area, serves the farmers, throughout the year by providing agricultural implements. In urban areas, however, they make articles such as bucket, hammer, ghamela, phavada etc., and earn about Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per month.

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