AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

AGRICULTURAL WAGES.

According to 1961 Census agricultural labourers formed 51.08 per cent of the total workers in the district. It is also most curious to note that women alone formed 63.25 per cent of the total agricultural labourers. These labourers mostly live on the wages they get. However, these wages are not uniform throughout the year. At the harvesting time the wage rate is comparatively higher than that in other seasons. It again varies from place to place and for the type of labour employed. Female labourers as compared to males get lower wages. Female labourers are usually employed for weeding and picking of cotton.

In the olden days the day labourers, majurdar, in the villages were paid in money for sowing and weeding, but in kind for all harvest work. The rates for weeding then varied immensely. If there had been heavy rain with few breaks so that there was great need of weeding being done at once, the rate used to rise in exceptional cases, even to one rupee a day. The usual rate then was three or four annas per day. Even today it holds true with the only difference that the labourers are paid mostly in cash and at far higher rates. The table No. 26 given below will prove the point in question. The old method of giving the choice of one part after dividing the day's total collection of cotton into so many parts, as wages is also mostly discontinued.

Besides, agricultural servants either on permanent or on seasonal basis are also employed. Their duties include tending of cattle, watching of crops and such other agricultural activities which are entrusted to them by the employers. About the remuneration that they used to get in the olden days the old Gazetteer of the district says—

"Permanent servants are sometimes paid in cash alone, sometimes by being given their daily food and so much cash besides, and sometimes by a stipulated amount of juari and of money. All three ways have been recognised for many years. If cash only is paid the rate is generally from Rs. 72 to Rs. 96 a year. though it is sometimes as low as Rs. 50. A half, or even the whole, is often paid in advance. If payment is made partly in kind it is usual to give a pair of shoes and a blanket and meals at festivals. So much juari is agreed on as is expected to make the total payment being the same as that which would be given in cash ". At present in addition to the payment given in kind the permanent labourers usually get as high a sum as Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 per year.

One more system of village servants was prevalent in the old days. It was known as balutedari. This system is now-a-days withering away. These village servants known as bara bahute used to render various services to the inhabitants of the village and get in return foodgrains at the time of harvesting.

TABLE No. 26

AGRICULTURAL WAGES IN YEOTMAL DISTRICT

[In Rs.]

TABLE No. 26—contd.

TABLE No. 26—contd.

[In Rs.]

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